y 



History 



Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 



IN THE WAR OF THE 



REBELLION OF THE SOUTHERN STATES 

AGAINST CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY. 



1861-1865. 



DESCKIPTION OF BATTLES, AEMY MOVEMENTS, HOSPITAL 

LIFE, AND INCIDENTS OF THE CAMP, BY 

OFFICERS AND PRIVATES: 



COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION OF THE MORAL AND POLITICAL 

FORCES WHICH PRECIPITATED THE WAR OF SECESSION 

UPON THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. 



BY THE AUTHOR, 

NELSON V.'hUTCHINSON. 



TAUNTON, MASS. : 

•UBLISIIEU 15V AUTIiOHITY OF THE KKGIMENTAL .VSSOHATIOX. 
1890. 



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14134 



^ 1898, 






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APOLOGY. 



TN presenting the History of the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer 
Infantry to the public, the author makes no pretension or claim 
to literary ability, but has essayed to give, in a plain and concise 
manner, the history of the Regiment, to record its sacrifices, its 
hardships, and the valor and endurance of its men who participated 
in the work of saving the Union as a Confederation of States, and 
establishing the principles of national unity, and also as a memorial 
of them, that their children and the generations to come who know 
not of their sacrifices by personal experience, may be taught the 
great lessons of patriotism which swelled the hearts of their fathers, 
the volunteers of 1861. 

Shortly after the formation of the Regimental Association an 
effort was made to secure a Regimental History, and as it was a 
much more propitious time then than at tlie present, (it being in the 
seventies, shortly after the regiment left the service,) it is to be 
much regretted that it was not carried to a successful issue at that 
time. A committee was appointed, of which Capt. George Reed, 
of Co. K, was president ; but shortly after its formation Capt. Reed 
was seized with a very severe sickness, from which he lias never 
fully recovered. 

At the seventeenth aniiiuil reunion of the Regimental Association 
a paper was read by the author, setting forth the advantages of a 
Regimental History, and after an animated discussion the following 
committee was chosen to collect and forward data to the historian, 
w^ho had been chosen at the aforesaid meetin<r. That committee 



vi APOLOGY. 

consisted of one member from each Company, with Col. F. P. Har- 
low as an additional committeeman at large. The following is the 
committee as appointed at the annual reunion : Company A, Walter 
S. Goss ; Company B, James G. Church ; Company C, Charles 
Staples; Company D, Henry H. Codding; Company E, Henry 
Tollman ; Company F, Lieut. Harrie A. Cushman ; Company G, 
Lieut. A. W. Lothrop ; Company H, Hiram B. Reed; Company 
I, Lieut. William Wade ; Company K, Nelson V. Hutchinson ; 
Band, William M. Bowles. 

Under the labors of this committee and the historian, the subject 
matter was collected and revised, and edited by the historian. It 
slowly grew into shape, and after being authorized by the Regimen- 
tal Association, a contract was closed with Rand, Avery & Co., of 
Boston ; but they subsequently suffered a perfect collapse, and were 
petitioned into insolvency, after having completed about one hundred 
and fifty pages of manuscript for five hundred volumes. 

In closing up the affairs of the firm under the assignee appointed 
by the court for Suffolk county, the greater part of the manuscript 
was lost, necessitating the re-vvriting of that portion of the history. 
When the historian had completed that task, he entered into com- 
munication with Lieut. Charles B. Hathaway, of Taunton, Mass., 
formerly of Co. F, Seventh Massachusetts, and secured a very 
favorable contract from him for the completion of the history, he 
having sub-let the printing to the old and reliable printer, Ezra 
Davol, of Taunton, under whose contract the book was completed 
in every way the equal of the first contract, — Mr. Davol as printer 
and Mr. Hathaway as binder being among the oldest and most reli- 
able firms of the state or country. 

The historian is under very great and lasting obligations to the 
following named gentlemen, who very kindly did all in their povver 
to aid him in obtaining the necessary data and material : Maj.-Gen. 
D. N. Couch, the former commander of the regiment; Maj.-Gen. 



vii 



Sclioficld, commanding the Atlantic Division ; the Hon. William 
Kndicott, Secretary of "War; Lieut. -Gen. Sheridan; Brig. -Gen. 
Nelson H. Davis (retired) ; Maj.-Gen. Don Carlos Buell ; Maj.- 
Gen. Charles Devens ; ex-Gov. John D. Long ; the Hon, Secretary 
of State, Henry B. Peirce, who very kindly forwarded documents 
from Washington, obtained at the War Department and at the State 
House, Boston, (Mr, Peirce assisting by his own jjcrsonal labor in 
looking up facts) ; Lieut, -Col, F. P, Harlow ; Capt. Zeba F. Bliss ; 
Capt, Gurney ; William G. Litchfield and Corp, William Litch- 
field ; Alfred Seaverns of Co. E; Harrie A. Cushman of Co. F. 
The historian Avould extend his heartfelt thanks to one and all for 
the very material assistance he has received in the compilation 
of this history. N. v, h. 



SEVENTH 
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 



CHAPTER I. 



CAUSES OF THE EEBELLION OF STATES FROM CONSTITUTIONAL 
AUTHORITY. 

IN presenting the history of the Seventh Massachusetts 
Volunteer Infantry to the public, it may be well to 
state the moral and political reasons and principles of civil 
polity held by the different sections of the country, the 
agitation of which led to the secession of States, whereby 
one of the greatest wars of modern or ancient times was 
prL'cipitated upon the people of the different sections. The 
Shave States, so called, were inhabited by an agricultural 
people principally, who were hampered by the institution 
of slavery, handed down to them as a legacy by their 
ancestors ; while the North-Eastern and North- Western 
States were peopled by a commercial, manufacturing, and 
agricultural people, in the older sections of which slave labor 
had been found unprofitable, and had therefore been abol- 
ished on or about the beginning of the present century. 
The slave (question is, in the minds of many, tlie cause of the 
great Rebellion ; but to the moral philosopher other and 
deeper reasons appear to the mind as the controlling power 
which forced this most unhappy strife upon the people of the 
United States so called. Ami, to state the question fairly. 



2 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

it may be said it was the clashing of two great and distinct 
civilizations, — one the advanced Christian mind, the other 
the pagan and Mosaic. The first, in its onward sweep of 
progress and moral enlightenment of the human race, found 
no law or place for their enslavement ; while the pagan and 
Mosaic civilizations in their civil politics upheld and de- 
fended the principles of slavery. And to-day in pagan and 
semi-civilized countries only is it permitted for one people 
to enslave another people or nation. 

The South, blessed by fertile plains, and valleys rich in all 
natural products, with cotton as king, waxed strong and 
haughty; and, as she increased in wealth, her white people 
became very aristocratic and overbearing. — the legitimate 
results of a moneyed aristocracy, be it North or South. 
And as wealth grew upon them, the greed of gold ate up 
the greater moral principles of the declaration of the con- 
federative Constitution, " That all men are born free and 
equal, and possessed of certain inalienable rights : that 
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness : "' 
and they soon grew to brook no interference by legislative 
enactments by federal power in its efforts to confine the 
institution of slavery to the original Colonies or States. 

Contrariwise the Xorth had grown great in science, litera- 
ture, and the arts : her villages, the products of her civili- 
zation, crowned a thousand hills ; free labor was respected, 
education was upheld and supported by State and people : 
and a noble educational and Christian civilization had 
crowned the efforts of Pilgrim and Puritan to found a nation 
of freemen. And as the people of the North became more 
and more enlightened under the onward march of her civil- 
ization, the hideousness of slavery became more and more 
apparent ; and by the agitation of the anti-slavery polity by 
her great moral statesmen, her people determined that it 
should not be allowed with its blighting influeuces to en- 
croach any farther upon the principles of democratic gov- 
ernment. 



CAUSES OF THE REBELLION OF STATES. 3 

And the South, seeing the inevitable results of the progress 
of the Northern mind towards the true meaning of the con- 
federative principles embodied in the Constitution, became 
alarmed, and by the machination of her leading men 
was forced to raise the red hand of rebellion against the 
Federal Union, and sought by the wage of internecine strife to 
disrupt the union of States, and to establish an empire whose 
corner-stone should be slavery. But ere the first shot had 
hurled the brick from Sumter's walls, a million of freemen 
stood ready to fight, and die if need be, for the perpetuity 
of the Union and Constitution. There were man}- make- 
shifts and compromises enacted to pacify the South ; but as 
her power grew, she became more and more arrogant. The 
South had enough allies at the North previous to the opening 
of the Rebellion to enact the following laws to pacify and lull 
both North and South until she was ready for separation. 
First I will mention the Wilmot Proviso, Mason and Dixon's 
Line enactment, Dred Scott decision, Supreme Court, and 
others, pro and con. 

The animus of this Southern cabal had shown itself as 
early as 1832, at the time of Jackson's administration, in the 
nullification schemes of South Carolina, led by that father 
of traitors, John (.). Calhoun, who was also the father of the 
Southern Rebellion ; for, by his treasonable construction and 
interpretation of the Constitution in its relation to the sep- 
arate States, he laid the seed of the greatest rebellion the 
world ever knew, and one for which the historian can find 
the fewest excuses. The several agitations by the different 
contendants led to the border warfare in Kansas, and the 
John Brown emeute at Harper's Ferry in the year 1859, and 
finally took the form of secession of the Southern States 
when Abraham Lincoln, the nominee of the Republican part}-, 
was elected President in 1860. The Democratic party had 
become hopelessly divided, and the key of power was wrested 
from them, to return only after more than a quarter of a cen- 
tury had passed away. 



4 5ETEXTB MA55ACHr?^ETTS VOLUNTEER I>'FA>'TEY. 

Soon from threats the seceders proceeded to overt acts 
of treason. Sumter was assaulted and fell. Lincoln then 
issued his call for 75,000 three-months' troops ; then 43,000 
(Sd of Mar), and very soon again for 300,000. Bull Run had 
been fought, and the Great Rebellion was opened, which 
was onlv to close when the shackles had been struck from 
4,000,000 of slaves, and the armies of the Xorth had trav- 
ersed a continent in their victorious advance, after rivers 
of blood had been shed, and countless treasure lost and 
expended, which results were inevitable from the moral and 
progressive strides of modem civilization. 

But the South was smitten not to die, but to be purified ; 
and she has risen from her furnace of affliction, a noble sister 
in the strife for a higher civilization, and is now hand in 
hand with the onward march of the nineteenth century, — 
a noble people in a beautiful land, — 

•• A land of snpeniatural powerB, — 
Their lakes adorned -Kith flowers; 
Like seas their rirers run;" 

and will soon be the home of a people noted for their educa- 
tion and loyalty, — a people of kindness and wealth, the 
results of a great moral and civil revolution. 

And the North can find many lessons of instruction, and 
much to profit b}', as we look back and review the causes of 
the great rebellion : the same principles of revolution being 
found in the huge corporations and monopolies raised up 
since the rebellion, and which corrupt the halls of legislation. 

Thus I have set as a frontispiece to the opening page of 
the Regimental History- these preliminary remarks on the 
great moral, political, and revolutionary causes which have 
made such a history possible ; the fruitage of which will be 
found in the succeeding pages a monument to the Volunteers 
of 1861. 




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SETZS'TH ilASSACHrSZTTS VC'Lr>TZZP. rSFANTP-T. 

beaotifaL a strong breeze relieving the heat of a Jalj 
sun. Shortlv after noon we filed aboard the cars waiting 
for nsw and amid the waving of handkerchief, and tearful 
adieus, we moved off on our wav to Washington. Oh, how 
manv of that regiment- who in the full pride of vouthfal 
manhood went forth to battle for their country's life, never 
more returned to gladden the friends of their once happy 
homes, or ever more kissed a fond mother's careworn brow, — 
the mothers of our Northern homes, zealous and :^thful 
through much sorrow and gloom, and death of many a hus- 
band and son ! Many, many, sleep the sleep that knows no 
waking. They rest in death's peaceful slumbers on many a 
field and plain, — some beside the placid waters of Old 
Potomac's gently moving tides; others beneath the murky 
heights of Fredericksburg : some on the James's fever-laden 
banks: others still beneath the tangled thickers of the 
Wilderness, and in the bloody lines of Spotsylvania: and 
oihexs yet on Cold Harbor's battle-stained plains, — never 
more to live, only in the tender remembrance of friends and 
comrades, untH God, the Giver of life, shall call aH men to life 
eternal on the resurrection mom. They died for their coun- 
try in manhood's early days, and offered their Kves a sacrifice 
on the altar of their country, that the Union and Constitution 
might be preserved, and our national life rescued from the 
clutch of traitors' hands, and that our noble land might be 
restored to its pristine vigor and life, the home of free men, 
and a pledge of progressive civilization to all mankind. 

Major-Gen. Couch, the first commander of the regiment, 
graduated &om West Point in 1846, when he was promoted 
to brevet second lieutenant. Fourth Artillery : served in the 
war with Mexico, 184<^-48. being engaged in the battle of 
Bnena Vista. Mei-, as second lieutenant of Capt- Washing- 
ton's Battery Light Artillery, and was bre vetted first Keutenant 
for gallant and meritorious conduct : was in the Seminole war 
in Florida, 1?.50-.51. He married, in 18.S4, a daughter of the 
Hon. Samnel S. Crocker of Taunton. Mass. At the breaking 



OEGAXIZATION AND MOVEME^TT TO TTASHlXGTOy. « 

out of The Rebellion he was in Taunton, Mass., where he 
recruited and organized the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer 
Infantrv ; was promote'd brigadier-general in August follow- 
ing, the brigades of Couch, Graham, and Peck for m ing a 
division commanded by Gen. Don Carlos Buell, then by Gen- 
Keys, commander of Fourth Corps on the Peninsula, then 
by Couch who succeeded him. He held the line on the left 
at the siege of Yorktown. and bore a very honorable part 
in all the battles of that campaign : was promoted to com- 
mand of the Second Corps after the battle of Antietam : was 
a very gallant and meritorious officer, whose history is so 
interwoven with all that appertains to the great strife and 
campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, that it is needless to 
further recite his achievements in that army. He now 
resides in Norwalk. Conn., enjoying a restful ease after a 
life of great activity and honor, in both a civil and military 
capacity, beloved by all the men he ever commanded, a 
true soldier, a noble citizen, an educiited gentleman, a 
noble product of the energy and educational influences of 
the Christian civilization of the nineteenth century. 

He had as his staff, while in command of the Seventh 
Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. — as adjutant, Othniel 
Gilmore : quartermaster, Daniel Edson ; siirgeon, S. Atherton 
Holman ; assistant surgeon, Z. Bogleston Adams : as field- 
officers, Chester W. Green of Fall River: David E. Holman, 
Attleborough. He had as line-officers the following able and 
efficient captains, who proved themselves to be men of the 
right mould in the right place: — 

Commanded bv Capt. David H I>yer. 
•• .Trhv. Cushiug. 

C"::ar>? T. RobinswQ. 
•• ,To>e;h B. Lev>n.<»rd. 
Horace Fox. 

• ZiM F. Blii*. 
Ward L. Foster. 

'• John R. Whittt^mb. 

• Jv>hn F. Ashley. 
Franklia P. Harlow. 



Company 


A ( 
B 


^f Fa]l Kiver. 


•• 


C 


•• Kaynh.^uu. 


•• 


D 


•• T.^URton. 




E 


*' Dorchester. 




F 


•• Taunton. 


•• 


G 


** E.^ston, 




H 


• Mansfield. 


•• 


I 


•• Attlelv>rouirh 




K 


•* Abinirton, 



8 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTvS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Many lieutenants rose to grade of captain, and bore an 
honorable part in all the achievements of the regiment, 
who will be more especially mentioned as the History pro- 
ceeds. They were men who were in earnest in the cause of 
constitutional liberty, and gave up their positions in civil 
life that the nation's life might be preserved. Bullock and 
Tillston and Mitchell and Whitney yielded up their lives 
in the fore-front of battle, zealous patriots, loyal and true, 
the pride of the companies which they commanded, beloved 
by all. 

After the regiment had filed aboard the cars, and were 
seated, we moved off on the Mansfield branch through to 
main line of Providence Railroad, thence through to Provi- 
dence, thence to Stonington in Connecticut, where we 
took the steamer " Commonwealth " up the Sound to New 
York. Arrived in New York about five o'clock, July 13, 
1861. As we passed down East River on that early summer 
morning, we were greeted by a sight given to a very few 
men to see in a lifetime. The wharves and piers of East 
and North Rivers were literally packed with shipping. As 
far as the eye could see, huge three-masted square-riggers 
lined the wharves, — some from India and Europe, some from 
China, Japan, and the far-off isles of the sea, loading and 
unloading ; for at that time the United States was mistress 
of the carrying-trade of the world : but when the regiment 
returned, after three years of service, the whole scene was 
changed. England had usurped the carrying-trade, helped 
by her own privateers under Confederate colors, and the piers 
and wharves were largely deserted. We lay at the wharf 
some six or eight hours, and while there many friends of the 
regiment visited the men and officers. I remember well 
George Beal, the principal of Scituate High School, visited 
his old acquaintances and scholars from Scituate, who were 
enlisted in Company K. While lying at the wharf, one of 
Company K's men (Darling by name) received a severe 
bavonet-wound in the arm, the first serious casualtv of the 



ORGANIZATION AND MOVEMENT TO WASHINGTON. 9 

campaign thus far. In the early part of the afternoon we 
steamed quickly down New- York Harbor to take the cars at 
Elizabethport on the New-Jersey Central Railroad. The 
train was soon made up ; and here we first beheld the beauti- 
ful red clay so difficult of extraction from the heel of one's 
stocking after a brisk rain has set its liquid properties in 
motion. To the men of Massachusetts the engines of this 
road were a marvel, being two story, and four driving-wheels 
on a side, built expressly to draw heavy loads of coal ; the 
seacoast terminal of which road is Elizabethport, a great 
coal-trade centre. At about three o'clock we were safely 
ensconced in our box-cars, and moved off on the road to 
Harrisburg through the centre of the State of New Jersey. 
And such beautiful scener}^ ! fields of wheat as far as the eye 
could see, and immense peach-orchards interspersed with hill 
and dale, gave to the scenery under the glowing sun a fulness 
and beauty seldom seen, and which, with many remarks from 
officers and men, gave to the trip a varied and exciting zest, 
which old soldiers can fully enjoy in reminiscence to-day. 
Without any serious accident, only the separation of the 
train in the mountain grades, we steamed into Harrisburg 
about eleven o'clock at night. The scenery on this part of 
the road through the Alleghany Mountains is magnificent 
beyond conception, and, to be fully appreciated, should be 
seen in a palace-car, rather than in a box-car running 
thirty miles an hour, while one is packed like sardines in a 
box. We were obliged to run at an exceedingly fast rate of 
speed to clear the track for an express-train which would 
have the right of wa^^ The train was very long and heavily 
laden ; every company having a team consisting of four horses, 
an army-wagon, and driver, but which luxury became sadly 
depleted after the Peninsula campaign. We lay quietly 
side-tracked in Harrisburg that night and part of next day, 
when we steamed down the road to Baltimore. When we had 
arrived to within about five miles from Baltimore we filed 
out of the cars, and loaded our rifles : Col. Couch haviuLT 



10 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

no idea of being caught napping, as was the "Old Sixth" 
when they passed through Baltimore in the April preceding. 
And well do we remember how the old regiment looked 
as we marched through Baltimore, one thousand and ten 
strong, led by our gallant commander, Col. (now Major- 
Gen.) Couch. Company K was the leading company, its 
captain , being the senior captain of the regiment, which 
position was held by military usage. After a quiet march 
led by the mayor of the city, we arrived at the depot of the 
Baltimore and Washington Railroad. After being ordered 
aboard train, we had not long to wait, but proceeded very 
slowly, as the bridges were not in the best of repair. We 
arrived in Washington July 15, 1861. We had a very brisk 
welcome all along the route from the troops of Butler's 
command. We reached Washington about half-past six 
o'clock P.M. As we had prepared rations, we were not long 
in taking a lunch, after which we were ordered to fall in, 
and march to the Capitol, in which magnificent building we 
were quartered until we took up our march to Kalorama. 




Hon. JAMES BUFFINTON, 
Private Co. "A." 



CHAPTER III. 

CAMP KALOKAMA AND CAMP BRIGHTWOOD, — MOVEMENT AROUND 
WASHINGTON. 

THE regiment was much indebted to the Hon, James 
Buffington, ''the able Representative of the Fifth Rep- 
resentative District in Congress from Fall River, Mass., a 
refined and genial man," for much of its comforts while 
encamped in Washington. The streets of Washington at 
that time (early in 1861) were very wide, without pavements, 
and were used as runs for cattle and pigs, and were very 
muddy and in very poor repair. We soon marched to 
Kalorama Heights, where we encamped. The camp lay 
upon the left side of Rock Creek, a babbling, noisy brook, 
whose banks were fringed with growth of woods and briers, 
blackberry bushes and brambles. This camp was high and 
healthy. We were soon in good order, our tents having 
been pitched, and camp-kitchens erected. As soon as the 
camp had been properly established, we were set to drilling, 
and fitting ourselves for the duties of a soldier's life ; Col. 
Couch being a very strict disciplinarian, firm and just. 
On Sunday, the 21st of July, 1861, as a large number of the 
regiment were attending divine service under our worthy 
chaplain, Joseph Carver, in the grove to right rear of camp, 
there came to the ears of the men who had not forgotten the 
religious principles of their home life, the sullen boom of 
field-artillery from across the river. Prominent among the 
worshippers on that eventful day were our gallant colonel, 
Capt. Harlow, Capt. Bliss, Capt. Dyer, Lieut. Reed, Lieut- 



12 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Mayliew, and Sergeant Gurney Whitney of Company L and 
others too numerous to mention. "We doubt if the words of 
the chaplain, after the first half-hour of the cannonade, reached 
many hearts or cars, for all was suppressed excitement. After 
the chaplain had closed tlie services, the officers dre^Y around 
the colonel ; and soon all were at their quarters waiting 
for the long roll, — that tap of drum which has called so many 
soldiere to a speed}- death. They had not long to wait. Soon 
its ominous sounds were heard reverberating through the 
camp, and the stern order "Fall in!" was given from com- 
pany officers by command of Col. Couch. After standing 
in line an hour or more, we were dismissed, and sent to 
quarters under orders to be ready to fall in again at a 
moment's notice. 

But no call came. The regimental ambulances were sent 
across the river to help bring in from the roadsides and fields 
the wounded and exhausted of that wild retreat, caused by 
the sinister influences of political carpers, who had broken 
down even Scott's great moral force of mind, and induced 
him to order an advance before the troops were fitted for 
such a movement, and who still later caused untold misery 
and distress to the army by their Satanic meddling. The 
regiment remained in camp at Kalorama until we were 
removed to Camp Brightwood, at junction of Seventh and 
Fourteenth Streets, some five miles from Washington. Com- 
pany K had been detailed to serve as guard to tete-de-pont 
on the Virginia side of Long Bridge, but was ordered back 
to camp, it having been a mistake b}- some staff-officers. We 
lay here in camp trying to keep comfortable, — it being very 
hot and sultry, — drill being almost dispensed with on 
account of extreme heat : guard-mounting and dress-parade 
being the principal military work. While lying at this camp. 
President Lincoln, accompanied by Gen. Scott, reviewed the 
regiment. Charles Sumner visited us at this camp. But 
Gov. Andrew found no time, as his Suffolk-county regiments 
absorbed all his attention while visiting the Capitol. — a 



CAMP KALORAMA AND CAMP BRIGHT WOOD. 13 

slight the men of the Seventh Massachusetts never forgot 
nor forgave ; and whenever they speak of Gov. Andrew, 
" some may think him near perfection ; but the men of Bris- 
tol and other counties think he was very humati, and could 
show preference to a marked degree in his official intercourse 
with people." 

Aug. 6, 1861, we were moved to Camp Brightwood, — a 
high and healthy location on the left of Fourteenth Street, 
leading from the city, where we had an abundance of pure 
water, and ample scope for drill and military manoeuvring. 
The day was very hot ; and many men were prostrated from 
the heat, and from the effects of loading themselves down 
with a huge knapsack, generally stuffed with a family Bible, 
shaving-kit, and extra shirts, blankets, Hardee's " Tactics," 
and several mementos of the campaign thus far, — some 
stone work, or iron work, or other heavy material, which 
served to make the load almost unendurable, — a freak of 
greenness we paid a high penalty for in our first marches, 
and for which ignorance the officers were to be held account- 
able in a degree, as well as the privates. 

We marched up towards Brightwood some four miles, 
and filed into a field upon the right of the road, where we 
encamped a few days, when we moved into the permanent 
camp of Brightwood. While in this camp, Lieut.-Col. Green 
held command ; and we were inspected bv Gen. Don Carlos 
Buell, that splendid and efficient officer. We were very 
highly complimented by him. Previous to this inspection, 
we had been reviewed by Major-Gen. McClellan. And to 
this day he has a warm place in the hearts of all his old 
soldiers, — so soldierly, so gallant, so considerate of all. He 
was the idol of the old Army of the Potomac ; and the 
feeling only changed in a degree when Halleck's Western 
Napoleons and Stanton's -' On to Richmond," never-mind- 
the-cost generals took command of the soldiers who were 
recruited later, and who never knew his greatness or 
goodness. 



14 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

While at^'this camp, the following letter was sent to the 
paper herein mentioned : and as it is quite amusing, we 
insert it. 

[Written for The Fall- Rlrer Journal] 

1861. 
WAR CORRESPOXDENCE. 

CHRONICLES I. 

BY PETER THE PATRIOTIC. 

Now it came to pass, that when Abraham was made chief ruler of the 
land, there arose a great tumult among the Southern brethren. And all 
of that part of the land gathered together, and murmured among them- 
selves, saying, "What manner of man is this who would rule over us? 
Surely, he may be great among flat-boatmen, and a mighty splitter of 
rails ; but we verily believe that he cannot keep a hotel. And they 
chose unto themselves a chief, even Jeff Davis, the bosom-friend of one 
Floyd, who was noted for his pickings from the pubUc crib, and forthwith 
declared war against Abraham and his people. When Abraham heard 
of these things, he was sorely vexed, and sent unto all the rulers of the 
loyal States, saying. Gather together all thy valorous men of war, even 
the patriotic, and come down and help us to defend the stars and stripes; 
for the Philistines are upon us, and surely will lay waste the great city 
of the rulers, and swallow us up with a gulf, if the fighting-men come 
not. And it came to pass that when John, who ruled over that part of 
the laud inherited by the Pilgrim stock, heard of these things, he was 
greatly exercised in mind, and bestirred himself corporally. And he 
sent unto all his chief men of war, even unto one Darius, who dwelt in the 
land which lieth on the river called Taunton. Now it was said of Darius 
that he was a mighty man in battle, having fought valiantly under one 
Zachary, who slew the ^Mexicans with exceeding gi-eat slaughter. 

And John, the ruler, spoke unto Dai'ius, the man of war, saying, Get 
thee together a regiment, even one thousand strong; and I will make 
thee ruler over them. And Darius did as he was bid. And he tarried 
a short time in the land of the Puritans; and when spring was nearly 
ended, he and his valorous men of war journeyed toward the South; and 
when they were come nigh, even unto the great city of the rulers, they 
pitclied their tents, and encamped nigh unto the gates thereof. 

And as they encamped on the borders of the city, Darius found great 
favor in the eyes of the ruler; and they spake unto him, saying, Thou hast 




i;i)\\ ARD r. MARVMI. 
Private ("o. "A." 



CAMP KALORAMA AND CAMP BRfGHTWOOD. 15 

been faithful over a thousand, therefore thou shalt be made ruler over 
four thousand. Darius departed to take command of the four thousand; 
and the second ruler, one Chester, a dweller in the city of spindles, com- 
manded in his stead. Xow, Chester was a man of peace, and not skilful 
in the cunning tactics of warfare ; but whatsoever he lacketh in knowl- 
edge, he essayeth to amend with great zeal. When he would utter words 
of wisdom, his tongue cleaveth to the roof of his mouth. He openeth 
his mouth, and wisdom bubbleth not forth. 

After sojourning a few days nigh unto the great city, Chester, the 
ruler, commandeth to remove from thence farther into the wilderness, 
and nigh unto the borders of Maryland, there to meet the enemy, who 
dwelleth in the land of Jeff. They tarried long in the land of Bright- 
wood, where none appeared to molest or make afraid. 

They builded unto themselves hillocks of sand, and called them forts, 
and mounted thereon ordnances of iron, which burneth much powd«>r, 
and maketh a mighty noise, like unto the rushing of many waters. 
After this they rested from their labors, and grew very fat by devouring 
much rations. And they made unto themselves a commandment that 
they might dwell together in peace, respect their rulers, and depart not 
from the paths of rectitude. These commandments are written in these 
chronicles, and are as follows: — 

1st, Thou shalt have no other man to rule over thee, save Old Abe, and 
such of his friends as he chooses, to carry out his ordinances. Thou 
shalt not cast thine eye wishfully toward the laud of Jeff, nor sigh for 
the flesh-pots of thy Northern brethren. Thou shalt bow submissively 
to those appointed over thee; for they are vigilant rulers, visiting the 
iniquities of your shortcomings with guard-house visions, even unto 
bucking all them that hate them. 

2d, Thou shalt not make use of intemperate language, nor "cuss " 
excessively in the officers' presence; for the wages of thy sin is a shilling 
a swear. 

3d, Remember the sabbath day and the inspection thereon, that thy 
brasses may shine with great lustre, and every thing about thy person 
rejoice in cleanliness. 

4th, Six days shall thou drill, and do whatsoever thou art commanded. 

5th, Honor them that rule over thee, that thy days may pass pleasantly 
in the land of " Secesh." 

6th, Thou shalt not slay thy friends, but thine enemies slay with great 
slaughter, even with a two-edged sword, as it is written in the articles 
of war, sect. 9990. 

7th, Thou shalt not adulterate thy water with whiskey; for it will 
surely bring thee to the horizontal pole, even unto the straddling thereof; 
for it might cause a soreness in the regions of thy vertebra-. 



16 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Stli, Thou shalt not, under any mistake, saize or take thy neighbor's 
Wanket, nor his knapsack, nor any thing contained therein; for on a long 
march, it might exceedingly weary thee. 

9th. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy fellow-soldier, for 
it appertaineth not unto patriotism. 

10th, Thou shalt not covet thy corporal's stripes; thou shalt not^covet 
tliy neighbor's "salt junks." his "hard-tack," nor his "soft-tack," 
nor his knife, nor his spoon, nor his fork, nor his cup; for if thoujhast 
neither, thou canst get a quill. 




NKl.SON H. DAVIS, 
Colonel. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE REGIMENT UNDER COL, DAVIS, CAMP BRIGHTWOOD. 

SEPT. 4, 1861, Col. Couch having been promoted brigadier- 
general of volunteers, Col. Nelson H. Davis took com- 
mand of the regiment. His services, told in the succeeding 
pages, fitl}' portray the character and influence of this sound 
and efficient commander. He came to us unknown ; but soon 
his great niilitarv knowledge left its imprint on officers and 
men. 

In an extract from Cullum's " West-Point Biography," I 
find the following recorded in relation to Col. Davis's con- 
nection with the army of the United States: — 

" Col. Nelson H. Davis was a graduate of West-Point ]Mili- 
tary Acadeni}^ ; was born in Massachusetts, and appointed a 
cadet United-States ^Military Academy, July 1, 1841, to July 
1, 1846, when he graduated ; promoted in army brevet second 
lieutenant Third Infantry from July 1, 1846 ; served in the 
war with Mexico, 1846 to 1848, being engaged in siege of 
Vera Cruz, battle of Cerro Gordo, at Contreras and Churu- 
busco ; also in the assault and capture of city of Mexico; 
brevetted first lieutenant for gallant and meritorious conduct 
in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco ; on tluty in vari- 
ous portions of the United States, and acting against the 
Indians in the West ; captain Second 'Regular Infantry from 
1853 to 1855 ; served during the Rebellion ; battle of Bull 
Run ; appointed colonel Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer 
Infantry, Sept. 4, 1861 ; served in that capacity until Nov. 
12, 1861; major and assistant inspector-general, Nov. 12, 



18 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANlKV. 

1861 ; served in the Peninsular campaigns in several battles ; 
in campaign of Army Potomac in Marvland, 1862 ; Rap- 
pahannock campaign, battles of Chancellorsville and Gettys- 
burg ; brevet lieutenant-colonel, July 3, for gallant and meri- 
torious services July 3, 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg; 
commander of Department of New Mexico, 1863 and 1865 ; 
brevet colonel for gallant and meritorious services in action 
with Apache Indians, Arizona, May 29, 1864; is now re- 
tired, having become inspector-general of the United-States 
Army." 

Col. Davis was a very firm and strict disciplinarian, and 
soon the effects of his work became apparent in the better 
knowledge of officers and men in their respective military 
duties. Battalion and company drills came thick and fast, 
guard-duty and inspections being required in regular army 
style. To this thorough training was due much of the 
steadiness of the men in action, and the regiment felt the 
benefit of their colonel's early discipline in its later hours of 
need and trial. Reviews by brigade and division were in 
order. Brigade and division drills through the fall were 
often ordered at Meridian Hill, near Washington, under Don 
Carlos Buell and Gen. Keys. The Seventh Massachusetts 
obtained the right of the brigade, and the brigade the right 
of the division, from the superior proficiency shown by the 
regiment while on battalion and brigade drill. Gen. Mc- 
Clellan reviewed the division several times, and was much 
pleased with the ability shown by the Seventh Massachu- 
setts ; and the regiment received his compliments for its 
excellent marching and soldierly bearing. We were drilled 
almost constantly in battalion, skirmish, and brigade drill. 

Col. Green having resigned Nov. 22, Lieut.-Col. Charles 
Raymond, of Plymouth, Mass., was appointed to be lieu- 
tenant-colonel of the regiment. It was with many misgivings 
we saw a man from civil life appointed over our faithful 
Major F. P. Harlow, especially as there Avere officers in the 



Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 




("iii.sii;r w. (iKi:i;M 

l.icutciKint Colonel. 



THE KEGIMENT UNDER COL. Da VIS. 19 

regiment who were well qualified to hold the posilion. lint 
we were ever loyal to orders and the best interests of our 
State, and were bound to obey no matter who commanded, 
provided he had the proper authority. Lieut.-Col. Raymond 
was a fine man personally, and obtained the respect and love 
of the officers and men ; and this did much to cover his short- 
comings in military life. He was a very fine man in civil 
life, but not competent to handle masses of men in action; 
he was highly esteemed as a citizen, but we never appreciated 
him as a soldier, he having been selected by Gov. Andrew 
through political influence. 

While Col. Couch, Lieut.-Cols. Green and Raymond, held 
command. Forts Stevens and Slocum were built, which Avas 
hard and laborious work ; certain companies being detailed 
from the regiment, and others of the brigade, to work cer- 
tain hours in a day. It was hard digging, and the weather 
was extremely hot. Man}' of the boys were suffering from 
climatic changes, and consequently were weak, and easily 
exhausted by any unusual work. 

And so the summer wore away. Rock Creek and Seventh 
and Fourteenth Streets were picketed, and a very close scru- 
tiny exercised over all passing ; a good school for both officers 
and men, although nothing serious occurred except the arrest 
of a few suspicious characters, and the wounding of a melon- 
patch or two, or the capture of contraband whiskey while it 
was being conveyed througli the lines. The boys constructed 
very comfortable booths, in which the guards were quartered. 
It was more discomfort to stand the heat and mosquitoes 
than the work of guard-duty. 

Nov. 24, 1861, Col. Davis left us, having been promoted, as 
herein stated ; and Joseph Wheelock took conunand. He was 
a West-Point graduate, having entered that institution from 
Massachusetts, July 1, 184<'., and graduating July 1, 18.')0. 
He was brevetted second lieutenant of artillery, July 1, 
1850; served in the Seminok- war in Florida; on sick leave 



20 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

during the year 1856 ; assistant professor Military Academy, 
1851 to 1855 ; first lieutenant Fourth Artillery, Jan. 13, 1856 ; 
resigned March 1, 1857 ; his civil history unknown ; served 
in the war of the Rebellion ; appointed colonel of Seventh 
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Nov. 20, 1861 ; resigned 
Jan. 31, 1862; died at Washington, D.C., aged thirty-three 
years. A very fine man mentally, but whose habits were not 
of the best; one of Gov. Andrew's selections without per- 
sonal knowledge of the man. 

The weather had begun to change, and " Frosty weather " 
became the by-word. Some of the citizens would come and 
stand by our fires, if allowed through the lines, and say, 
" It's right smart cold, — it's right smart frosty," and shiver 
as though a cyclone had struck them. We would often ask, 
" How far is it to Frederick City, up to the north-west? " and 
then they would reply, " One look, two looks, and a right 
smart distance ; " or, " How far to a certain place ? " — " Oh, 
right smart distance ! " — a fair sample of the majority of the 
rank and file of the Southern army coerced into rebellion by 
their political leaders. 

The evenings of early fall were spent in whiling the time 
away in various ways, some playing checkers or chess, some 
playing bluff straight, five-cent chips, or ten-cent straddle^ 
and as much higher as the skill and wishes of the players 
required ; while others studied tactics and army regulations, 
endeavoring to perfect themselves for the duties of higher 
positions in the service. Such fond hopes in many cases 
blossomed, but never bore fruit. So the early fall wore 
away; and "All quiet on the Potomac " being the battle-cry, 
preparations for winter-quarters were begun. Details were 
made from each company to go into the woods to fell the 
trees with which to build the log houses that were to shelter 
us through the winter. Cottonwood was the timber largely 
used, which is easily riven or split. The quarters were about 
twenty-five feet long, and about ten feet wide, with three 
tiers of bunks on sides and end. The head of the company 



THE REGIMENT UNDER COL. DAVIS. 21 

faced the west, and the wisdom of the first platoon were on 
the westerly end of the houses. They were very comfortable, 
and were mentioned in the Adjutant-General's Report for 
Massachusetts as such, on his return from the Army of the 
Potomac in fall of 1861. 



CHAPTER V. 

REGIMENT UNDER COL, RUSSELL, — CAMP BRIGHTWOOD, AND MOVEMENT 
TO MANASSAS JUNCTION. — SIEGE OF TORKTOWN, AND BATTLE OF 
WILLIAMSBURG. 

r^OL. WHEELOCK having resigned Jan. 31, 1862, Capt. 
^^ David A. Russell, Fourth Regiment of Infantry, took 
command of the regiment. Would that my feeble pen 
could give an adequate description of that sterling officer 
and man ! It is given to but few organizations to have 
the good fortune to be commanded by such an efficient 
officer. Firm, just, and temperate, he ruled his men more 
by the weight of his character than by the stern require- 
ments of military law, impressing upon his officers and men 
that duty fully performed is the quickest way to fame and 
glory. He soon commanded the unbounded love and respect 
of both men and officers, who felt that their colonel would 
never needlessly sacrifice them. Being ever careful and 
prudent, he proved himself a very superior officer, who never 
risked a man's life that he might be promoted for the 
gallantry displayed in shedding other men's blood, but rather 
husbanded the strength of his command to await the supreme 
moment in action, when the science of his blows was irresist- 
ible. 

His bravery and efficiency in battle were well shown at 
Rappahannock Station, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the 
sad but ever memorable field of Opequan, where he fell at 
the head of his division in the hour of his glory and victory. 
Having previously been wounded in the side by a minie 




D.Wll) A. KISSI': 

(■()I..IK-1. 



RKGI.MENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. lo 

ball, be still kept bis saddle, and urged on bis troops, tboiigb 
suffering terribly. As be saw tbe battle trembling in the 
balance, and victory was almost assured, a piece of shell 
pierced his heart, and be fell, one of nature's noblemen, to 
rise no more. He died upon tbe field of honor, Sept. 19, 
1864 ; and his fall left a vacancy in tbe Sixtb Corps never to 
be filled. It has been said of him, that, as a colonel, he had 
no equal ; as a leader of a brigade, be was superb ; and, as a 
division commander, brilliant and almost unequalled. He 
met his death at the early age of forty-two. Beloved by all, 
bis memory is revered as a chevalier pur et sans reproche. — 
Requiescat in pace. 

In Gen. Sheridan's report of that battle, we find tbe fol- 
lowing testimony to the faithful and efficient services of 
David A. Russell : — 

"At this juncture, Russell's division of the Sixth Corps 
splendidly improved a golden opportunity. [See Valley 
Campaign Reports, by Sheridan.] Ordered at once to move 
up into the front line now needing re-enforcements, this 
change brought it into tbe gap created by the Confederate 
charge, and, continuing its advance, it struck the flank of 
the hostile force which was sweeping away the Union right, 
and aided by the Fifth Maine Battery, which enfiladed the 
enemy's line with canister, at once turned the tide. The 
enemy retreated, but Russell bad fallen." " His death," said 
Sheridan, "brought sadness to every heart in tbe army." 
For further eulogies, tbe reader is referred to the reports of 
the Valley Campaign. 

During the winter, guard-duty, drill, and Sunday-morning 
inspections, formed the principal work of the regiment. 

March 11, 1862, tbe regiment marched to Prospect Hill, 
Va., on tbe Manassas campaign ; and a more muddy and 
dreary march could not be had. Rain, rain, rain, a good 
precursor of the campaign soon to follow. After camping 
out some three days, we took up our return march back to 
Camp Brightwood. After staying in our old camp something 



24 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

like a week, marched to embark on the steamer " Daniel 
Webster," for Fortress Monroe, Va. After being four 
days on the steamer, we disembarked on the 29th, and 
marched seven miles, and went into camp at Camp W. F. 
Smith, Va. ; and now the grand old Army of the Potomac 
was launched upon that historic campaign, which, from inex- 
perience of the commanding officers, and lack of moral and 
material support at Washington, was destined to defeat 
from the first, and, while rich in deeds of heroism and valor, 
was to end in the tactical defeat of the Union forces, although 
it inflicted upon the enemy great slaughter, from which they 
never fully recovered. The Seventh Massachusetts bore a 
very conspicuous and honorable part in the Peninsular cam- 
paign. Always in front, sometimes so far that it was often 
taken for the enemy, it held a very prominent position 
with the rest of Gen. Devens"s brigade, he having been pro- 
moted from the Fifteenth Massachusetts to take command 
of Couch's old brigade. April 4 the regiment marched 
eight miles, and encamped ; April 5 marched ten miles, 
and encamped near Warwick Court-House, Va., at Camp 
Winfield Scott, where the regiment did its full share of 
work in the siege of Yorktown. After the fall of Yorktown, 
it marched, Ma}^ 4, eight miles towards Williamsburg, and 
encamped for the night. On the 5th of May, the regiment 
marched on to the field of Williamsburg at half-past two 
o'clock P.M., much exhausted and fatigued, after flounder- 
ing through seas of mud and thousands of troops. The regi- 
ment was subjected to a very severe artillery-fire ; but, under 
the leadership of Col. Russell, they stood their first baptism 
of fire like veterans, and marched with steady ranks and 
proud bearing to the support of Gen. Peck's exhausted troops. 
At nightfall the regiment relieved the One Hundred and 
Second Pennsylvania Volunteers of Peck's brigade, and, 
without blankets or fires, stood by their arms in a drenching 
storm of wind and rain. Company K, having been detailed 
as skirmishers, advanced, under Capt. Reed, with a detach- 



REGIMENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. ZO 

ment of Geii. Davidson's brigade, and occupied Fort Ma- 
griider at daylight. The casualties were, one killed (Andrew 
S. Lawton, a private of Compan}' A, killed by a projectile 
from Fort Magruder), and two wounded. While the boys 
were inarching on to the battle-field, a regiment broke, and 
ran through the ranks ; but the Old Seventh discipline held 
them firm with the knowledge that the eyes of Massachusetts 
were upon them to uphold the honor of the Old Bay State. 
Military readers will know how trying to new troops is the 
breaking of the front lines, and the rush to the rear is 
generally very demoralizing ; but Col. Russell was there, a 
born leader ; and the regiment marched steadily to the front 
under a very heavy fire, and bore a most honorable jiart in 
this its first engagement. 

The next day the regiment commenced its toilsome march 
up the muddy road that led to Richmond as its terminal, and 
which many a poor boy of the Old Seventh was destined to 
never see, except as prisoner of war, or as a visitor after the 
city had capitulated to- the last general who attempted to 
take it. The sun came out hot and muggy after the battle, 
mud was knee-deep about all the way on the line of march, 
and many were the jokes cast off in army lore about the condi- 
tion of all Rebeldom if this was a fair sample of their would-be 
confederacy. Capts. Reed, Foster, and others were rather 
fleshy for such tramping; and Lieut. Mayhew of Company K 
kept up a string of jokes characteristic of himself, being a 
warm-hearted, whole-souled fellow, possessed of a fund of 
humor which the technical part of a soldier's life could not 
subdue. After floundering through the mud for about nine 
miles, we were ordered to halt, and rest for the night, and 
find, if possible, a dry spot to build our little fires, and make 
the soldier's sterling cup of good cheer, — a full pint of good 
old Government coffee, — which used to so warm the tired 
and weary soldier while in active service. The next day, 10th 
of iNIay, marched seven miles, and camped near Roper's 
Church, one of the gospel hospitals, where the good divines 



26 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

of the Old Dominion poured into willing ears the story of 
the Bible bondmen and the holy sacredness of their dear 
institution, which furnished them and their families bread at 
the expense of the sweat from other men's brows. 



Having received from Sergeant Walter S". Goss of Com- 
pany A the following communication written by him for 
'■ The Woonsocket Patriot." on the battle of Williamsburg, 
I here insert it as a very valuable contribution to this 
History in relation to the Peninsular campaign. 

'• When it was discovered that Torktown was evacuated 
by the enemy, Gen. Stoneman with his cavalry and artillery 
followed them up. The Confederates had strong earthworks 
in front of Williamsburg, thirteen in all, Fort Magruder 
being the central and strongest, an earthwork with bastion 
front. It was a good half-mile in extent, and surrounded by 
a deep, wide ditch, full of water. The other earthworks 
were open redoubts. These works were nearly two miles 
from Williamsburg. When Stoneman approached their lines, 
he was met by the enemy's cavalry : and then the hea^-y 
guns of Fort Magruder opened upon him. So he called a 
halt, and then fell back four miles, and waited for the infantry 
to come up and do the fighting. The most the cavalry did 
on the Peninsula was to fall back : ' it was their best hold." 
Hooker, who then commanded a division in Heintzelman's 
Third Corps, was anxious for a fight. He found the road 
ahead of him blocked by the troops of Smith's division, 
so he obtained permission to push over from the Torktown 
road to the Lee's-MiU road. He marched until midnight, 
when he bivouacked. Rain was falling, and the roads were 
so muddy they were nearly impassable. But at early dawn 
Hooker's men were up again and away, pushing for the front. 
At half-past seven he ordered an attack, sending in four 
regiments as skirmishers. In a short time Hooker had 



REGIMENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. 27 

planned out a pretty stiff fight. Gen. Johnston, who had 
left only a rear guard here, while the bulk .of his army was 
pressing on towards the Chickahominy, deemed it expedient to 
recall them ; so that, by eleven o'clock, Hooker had all his 
reserves in the front lines, and was calling upon Sumner and 
Heintzelraan for re-enforcements without getting a response 
from either. The troops were out of ammunition, and had to 
rely on that taken from the cartridge-boxes of the dead and 
wounded. 

'• Patterson's New-Jersey brigade, the Sixth, Seventh, and 
Eighth, probably did some of the heaviest fighting of th^ 
dav, and at times it was most desperate. Their dead literally 
covered the ground, which they stubbornly held against 
massed Confederates. Hooker fought nearly nine consecu- 
tive hours, with no help except Peck's and Devens's brigades 
of Couch's division, who arrived early in the afternoon, and 
took a position on his right, and held back the enemy at that 
point. Thirty thousand troops lay within an hour's march of 
the battle-field. Why Sumner, who was in command of the 
advance, allowed Hooker to fight this battle unaided, is to 
this day unexplained. To be sure, he detached Hancock, and 
sent him to the extreme right, where he took possession of 
two detached redoubts, thereby calling Johnston's attention 
to them, as he did not know before of their existence. After 
Hancock had secured his flank position, he failed to hold it 
for lack of re-enforcements, which he called for with great 
earnestness, as he. saw it was the key to the whole battle-field. 
At the break of day the division of Phil Kearney is at York- 
town, twelve miles away, while Hooker is struggling against 
heavy odds. Kearney's men are pushing for the front, strug- 
gling with the mud which besets them wherever they set 
their feet. At a little past four they began to arrive on the 
field, where they take the front, while Hooker's men fall 
back as reserves. The fighting, which had languished and 
nearly petered out, now began to crackle and roar under the 
direction of the gallant and tempestuous Phil, who imme- 



28 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

diately took the offensive, and began to push the enemy from 
their rifle-pits. The two other brigades of Couch's division 
are now on the field ; and in the mean time McClellan has 
come up to the front, and ordered Hancock to be re-enforced. 
The Confederates are hard pressed, and seek shelter behind 
their main line of works, when darkness settles down upon 
the bloody tragedy, and its sable mantle wraps in its foggy 
embrace the silent dead who are scattered through the 
woodland and glen on this field of fratricidal strife. 

" I have here given a brief account of the leading points 
of the battle, and will now fall back and bring up the troops 
in which I am most interested. 

" We lay during the night in an old wheat-field, and many 
of us managed to make our beds in the old dead furrows. 
During the night there was a copious downfall of water, and 
a flooded field was the result. Then, in the morning, there 
was a general wringing out of blankets and overcoats, which 
were thoroughly soaked with aqua. It was nearly nine 
o'clock when we received the orders to fall in, and then the 
tug of war commenced. The roads of Virginia are bad 
enough at the best ; but when an army has passed over them, 
with its ponderous artillery and heavy trains, there are not 
enough hard words in the English language to emphasize 
their condition. Horses and mules appear to swim in their 
pasty depths, while the cannons' mouths drink in their fill 
of mud. But we give very little attention to the roads this 
day, for away ahead we hear the suppressed thud and roar 
of the bull-dogs of war ; and with our sodden packs weighing 
us down, and driving us under like pile-drivers, we are 
racing for the front. But it is a slow race, hurry it as we 
may, for the roads are blocked with be mired artillery and 
sloughed-in trains ; drivers are lashing and cursing their poor 
beasts with very little apparent effect ; while the troops take 
to the fields, on through newly ploughed ground, slough- 
holes, and stubble, over ravines, raging torrents, and swollen 
brooks. How the mud sucks in those ' little gunboat ' 



REGIMENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. 29 

brogans! _ It is a question of time whether the mud will 
take off the ' brogans,' or the ' brogans ' will take off the 
mud. The brogan usually takes the mud, and our pedal 
extremities are assuming gigantic proportions under the 
adhesive qualities of the sacred soil of Old Virginia. Ike 
Plunkins said, that, ' Betwixt the knapsack and the mud, I 
am loaded at both ends. But I'll be hanged if I am going 
off very fast.' Lossing, in his ' Pictorial Field-Book,' says 
the whole Army of the Potomac was but four-hours' march 
away from the Williamsburg battle-field, which statement 
would be true were the roads and weather in fine condition ; 
but with the rain and mud combined, as it was at that 
time, it is vne of his many historical romances. Several 
thousand troops were pushed forward that day for all they 
were worth ; and none made the distance in less than six 
hours, nor was it possible for a loaded man or mule to make 
it in less time. It is easy to march and fight battles in the 
abstract ; but, when we come down to the concrete, the racy 
historian, who, fights his battles with t^'pe metals, might find 
that his metal was of that type which lags behind in the 
race. At that time we were not experienced in road- 
marches ; and this was a long stretch for men new at the 
business, even had the roads been in good condition. A 
collection of men marching under orders, and carrying a load 
of seventy pounds or more, as we did at the time, cannot be 
compared to a pedestrian who goes alone and at his owai will. 
A regiment may meet an obstruction, and undouble files to 
single file, which will retard the rear so that they are strung 
out half a mile ; and, when the closing-up process is to be 
gone through with, there is a long run to be made to double 
up again ; and none know what that means except old 
soldiers. 

" In my struggle with the mud on that forced march, it 
seemed as though I should hive to g-ive it up, and nothing 
but the sullen boom of the big guns ahead held me up to the 
work ; so we pulled wearily along, and yet the gunnery 



30 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

appeared as far off in sound as it had five hours before. I 
finally became demoralized, and sat down. Seeing- a comrade 
straggling along in another company, I called upon him to 
come, and sit upon the log with me, remarking I wasn't 
going another inch until I had got a rest ; whereupon the 
captain of that company, who was in light marcliing order, 
shouted, ' Cowards, cowards, come on I no skulking ! ' to 
which I replied, ' Oh ! you carry my knapsack, and I'll go 
with you.' The captain was brave, but he couldn't screw 
his courage up to the bigness of that knapsack, and he passed. 

"• Shortly after, one of the general's orderlies came riding 
back from the direction of the battle-field ; and I asked him 
how far it was to where the fighting was, to which he replied, 
' About a mile,' and then asked what regiment we belonged 
to. Our reply brought out the remark -that it was going 
right into the fight. ' Well,' said I, ' this won't do, for we 
have got to be there.' And we got up, and trotted — yes, 
we just trotted — past the brave captain who, a few moments 
before, had pronounced us cowards ; and we saluted him as 
we passed by. 

" The regiment was coming in on right by file into line, 
and we are ' there ' on the nick of time to file into our places 
by regimental front. We go forward, and the sight that 
greets us is two men with a stretcher, bearing off the field a 
wounded man who vTas gory. He raised his head as they 
passed, and yelled, ' Give them hell ! ' We go forward to a 
rail-fence, halt, unsling knapsacks, and pile them in a stack. 
' Load at will ' is the next order, and it begins to look like 
business. Col. Russell climbs the fence to go into the woods 
ahead, when he is met hy Capt. Titus, a staff-officer, who 
remarked with numerous ioaths, ' For God's sake, colonel, 
don't go in there ! the woi?ds are chock full of rebels.' — 
' Oh, well I I've got a little wood-lot in there 1 want to look 
over ; ' and he disappeared in the woods, while the captain 
sat on the fence indulging in a profusion of profanity to keep 
up his reputation as the champion swearer of the army. The 




^'s^^^nui:? 



XAlIiAMl.l, S. (il.KKW 
rrivntc Co. "A." 



KEGIMENT INDER COL. RUSSELL. 31 

captain was afterwards the colonel of the One Hundred and 
Twenty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, who joined our 
division at Antietam. His nickname among the men was 
' Dare-Devil Dick.' 

" The colonel soon returned, and told us not to fire, as tlie 
First Massachusetts were in ahead of us as skirmishers. We 
did not hold this position long, as it was too tame ; so we 
climbed the fence, and, by the right flank, skirted the roads, 
then came to a front behind a gun stationecfon the Yorktown 
road. 

" My company. A, rests across the road immediately behind 
the field-piece. I am near the left, on the side of the road, 
and standing on the butt of a log apparently pulled out of 
the road where it was placed to obstruct. I observe that a 
man is at the muzzle of the cannon, in the act of loading, 
while another stands with a rammer in position to ram home 
the cartridge, when there comes a shell tearing its way 
through the woods. It is so near the ground that it almost 
seems to roll. I see it coming, and it is a big spheroid. 
How slowly it seems to move compared to my thoughts, 
which are working with electric speed ! Just before it 
reached the piece, it exploded with a bang, scattering deadly 
missiles in our ranks. The man with the cartridge is killed, 
the one with the rammer is picked up with both feet hanging 
limp, and I find myself dreamily wondering what has become 
of his shoes, when I am aroused by l)eing jerked backwards 
off the log, and an excited voice exclaiming, ' You son of a 
gun, come and help me take Lawton to the rear I " My 

reply, so I was told, was, ' To with Lawton ! Where are 

the stretcher-bearers ? ' I look about me, and see two men of 
my company borne to the rear. Both were mortally wounded. 
Lawton lived but a few moments, and died regretting that 
he could not have been spared long enough to have got 
just one shot at the enemy before he died ; while the other, 
genial Nathaniel S. Gerry, lingered a week or more. But 
the shells are howlino- ; and, as I turn a^ain to the front, not 



32 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

an artillery-man is in sight, or to be seen, except a major, 
who is excitedly begging and imploring some one ' for God's 
sake ' to man his artillery. We give him little heed, as the 
colonel gives the order, ' By the right flank, march ; ' then, 
' By the front, march.' The shells are still coming for us ; 
and the colonel cries out, ' Spread out, men ! don't let one 
of these shells take a dozen of you.' We spread apart like a 
heavy skirmishing line, and it was a pretty good shell that 
could take more than two of us at a time. We are moving 
slowly to the front by flank, and then by front. Gen. Couch 
is riding close on our rear, smoking a cigar, and switching a 
little riding-whip which he was hardly ever without ; and I 
found myself wishing that I felt as cool and comfortable as 
Couch appeared to be, but I wasn't. I had filled my pipe, 
and lighted it as soon as I had loaded my rifle, resolved to 
take the thing coolly, cahnly, and collectedly; but the first 
shell stupefied me. I obeyed orders in a benumbed and 
struck kind of way. My pipe was gone : where and when it 
went, was more than I could tell. I found it afterwards in 
my pocket, where I had mechanically put it. I found myself 
continually getting ahead of the line, and had hard work to 
hold myself back. Others were like me in that respect, and, 
out of curiosity, I asked one of them what was his hurry. 
He replied, with a ghastly smile that would befit a ghost, ' I 
want to get where them thundering things come from ! ' 
That was what I felt like, and it is the uppermost thought in 
all soldiers' minds when under a destructive artillery-fire ; 
and they will charge into their very mouths, fighting like 
devils, actuated by the idea that they want to stop the 
thundering things. An} thing is better than taking it 
passively as it comes. 

" Brig.-Gen. Devens rode by the side of Couch ; and he 
remarked in a loud voice, — no doubt for encouragement, — 
' See how these men go in like regulars.' — ' Of course they 
do,' replied Couch, in a matter-of-lact way. Of course we did 
what we were there for. What had we been drilling for all 



REGIMENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. 33 

these montlis if it was not to be as steady under fire as any 
regulars that walked the earth ? The volunteers were not 
the kind to run away under the first fire, if they had a head 
they could depend upon. And we had one in Russell, under 
whom we never flinched ; for we believed in him and his 
judgments, which is more than we could say of some of the 
generals. Here we are under the shadow of Fort Magruder, 
which, with its heavy guns, is sending its compliments over 
us. In front of us, and separating us from the fort, is a 
'slashing,' a perfect whirl and tangle of trees, felled with 
a view to obstruct travel : it looks like a chaotic jumble, but 
there is a method and system to it. Here we bivouac for the 
night, tired, wet, worn, wear}^ and hungr3\ Our knapsacks 
are to the rear ; and we lie as we drop, rifles in hand, ready 
for immediate use. I crawled in behind a supposed log, 
where 1 lay with chattering teeth, whether from cold or fear 
I couldn't tell, but probably a little of both mixed. M}^ loff, I 
found in the morning, was simply punk, and was no shelter at 
all, except to my mind, and it answered that purpose as well 
as a log. During the night I was called up, and posted out as 
a watch to keep track of the rebel movements. I leaned 
against a tree, and soon became interested in the movements 
within the fort. The officers of the fort are turning out their 
men, and falling them in ; hammers are going, knocking 
things to pieces, or boxing them up ; little fires are blazing, 
lighting up the interior of the fort. I have my doubts about 
giving any alarm, and am studying the situation intently, 
when a heavy hand fell upon ray shoulder from the rear, and 
gave me a sudden start. ' Well, my man, how are things at 
the fort?' I recognize the colonel's voice, and reply, tliat, 
in my opinion, the rebs are vacating. ' Don't get that idea 
in your head, for we have got to do some hard fighting in 
the morning,' said Russell. Then I explained to him all I 
had heard, and told him, that, if the enemy were not leaving, 
we were in for a fight before morning, for they were surely 
moving. He- staid by me a quarter of an hour or more, 



34 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

listening to the signs, when he remarked that he thought I 
was right, but to keep a sharp lookout, and give the alarm 
at the least sign of danger. He then disappeared. Shortly 
after, things became quiet at the fort ; and, when I was 
relieved, I lay down with the consciousness that the morrow 
would not bring forth a fight. I was willing the enemy 
should leave, as I had no particular use for them. We had 
but struck the ragged edge of the battle of Williamsburg, 
and ray curiosity had been appeased. I had seen all the 
shells I cared to see, and, although I had not had a very big 
taste of fighting, I was satisfied to let my war record end 
right here ; for between the mud and rain, the discouraging- 
march, the human gore, patriotism had fled, and a supreme 
disgust for the heroics of battle had filled the void." 





/^n^^c-<^-c^ 



<^A 



CHAPTER VI. 

ON THE CHICK AHOMINY. 

"\T7"E remained two days in camp at Roper's Church. The 

* * regiment drew rations, had regimental inspection, and, 
on the 13th, marched thirteen miles to New Kent Court-House, 
where we remained two days more in camp, it raining almost 
constantly. Having had occasion to speak of the condition 
of the " terreian " upon which the Army of the Potomac 
was called to move, and figlit its battles, it will be well to 
give a slight description of the same. 

The Peninsula of Virginia, as it is called by geographers, 
is a tongue of land commencing at the city of Richmond on 
the James, and at West Point on the Pamunkey, — a tribu- 
tary of the York, — and runs in a south-easterly direction, 
constantly narrowing until it comes to a point in the tide- 
waters of Chesapeake Bay and James River confluence. At 
its extreme point is Fortress IMonroe. 

At the time of which we write, this was the largest and 
strongest fortress in the United States, mounting some one 
thousand guns when fully armed and equipped. The imme- 
diate vicinity of the fort is sandy, the waters of the bay and 
river laving its foundations. 

As 3^ou progress up the peninsula, it widens ; and there are 
fine plantations, producing peaches, corn, and wheat, which, 
under slave-workmen, were in a good state of cultivation 
before the war. 

Passing Warwick Court-llouse, the river of that name takt>s 
its run to the north and west of Yorktown. ;iiul was tlic tirst 



36 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

real obstacle the army encountered, except the weather. The 
river runs through a sluggish morass, and empties into the 
James, giving to an enemy holding a position bound by 
its lines ft formidable defence, if his flanks are protected 
by proper works, strengthened by gunboats in the James 
and York ; otherwise he is liable to be turned on both flanks. 

As you press on farther, this strip of country widens, and 
is interspersed with dense forests, and a few open places where 
houses are built and plantations are operated by slave-workers. 
The soil is a spongy clay, stiff as common mortar when once 
worked up by the tramp of men and rush of artillery and 
wagons. Truly, a slough of despondency and fear ; and many 
a poor soldier-boy has had to make an extra requisition on the 
quartermaster for shoes or boots, having left his own in its 
loving infoldment. As you strike the Chickahominy River, 
it is lined with morasses and timber-lands, whose bottoms are 
subject to sudden overflows in the spring of the year from 
the waters of the adjoining tributaries and the table-lands in 
the direction of Richmond. 

The regiment on the 16th of May made an armed recon- 
noissance, and succeeded in driving the rebel cavalry back 
towards the Chickahominy, encamping at Baltimore Cross- 
Roads for the night. The 17th we madfe a reconnoissance of 
six miles, and encamped three miles from Bottom's Bridge. 
We threw out a strong cordon of pickets towards the river, 
so as to be prepared against a sudden dash of rebel cav- 
alry or infantry, of which there was a very strong force in the 
immediate vicinity. After roll-call the boys turned in, it 
being rainy, and all around one sea of mud. 

On the morning of the 18th our pickets and the Eighth 
Pennsylvania Cavalry took possession of the Richmond and 
West-Point Railroad to within about one mile of the bridge 
crossing the Chickahominy River. The 19th we marched one 
mile, and encamped on the bank of the river near the rail- 
road, being well secured on our flank, and secreted from 
rebel observation. A detachment of those sterlinoc com- 



ON THE CHICKAHOMINV. 3< 

panies, B and G, made a move up to the bridge, and found 
the left bank of the nver evacuated. 

On the 20th a detachment of Compan}- C, under command 
of Major Harlow and Capt. llolman, were engaged in an 
.examination of the bridge, and had a very brisk skirmish 
before Bottom's Bridge. On the 21st, Company F (Capt. 
Bliss) and Company A — the one at the railroad-bridge, the 
other at the plank road crossing the river — had a very lively 
skirmish, and succeeded in driving away the rebels, and cross- 
ing the river, the regiment losing two men wounded, and 
one sergeant taken prisoner. After crossing, a detachment 
from the remainder of the regiment made a reconnoissance 
ot over two miles in the direction ^of Richmond, but found 
no heavy force of rebels, Gen. Johnston having taken up 
a position well under the fortifications of the city. John- 
ston's object was to entice McClellan to divide and sepa- 
rate his several corps, so that he could fall upon them in 
detail, and destroy such portions as had crossed the river 
and become detached from the right wing of the Union 
army. Encamped on the banks of the river. 

The following interesting account was written by Walter 
S. Goss, and published in " The Woonsocket Patriot," April 
30, 1886: — 

" We have made our camp on the high land overlooking 
the Chickahorainy River. The Chickahominy is a sluggish 
stream, margined by swamps and low, marshy land. It has 
a disposition to overflow its banks at the slightest apology for 
a shower. The regiment is an outpost on this line, as the 
rest of the troops are three or four miles at the rear of us. 
On our left front, about a quarter of a mile away, is Bottom's 
Bridge ; and on our front equidistant stand the piers of a 
destroyed railroad-bridge. Half a mile at the rear on the 
railroad, is a saw-mill with its piles of boards. Col. Russell 
confidentially informed our orderly that there was a flat car on 
the brink of the bridge, and a half-dozen men might steal it 
quietly away under cover of the night. The hint is taken ; 



38 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

and at early evening that car is trundled down the track, 
and the boards were soon on the move camp ward. It was a 
lazy man who did not have his tent floored before another 
sun had set. 

" For nearly a week the river barrier was the scene of 
skirmish, picket, and exchange of shot. There were very few 
casualties, however. I remember one night another man 
and myself were lying behind a fence near the margin of the 
water, when a bullet struck the rail near our heads, and the 
other fellow told me he believed his eye was shot out ; so he 
went crawling to the rear, up to a house near by where 
the captain had his quarters. He came back later with the 
soothing intelligence that his eye was not out, but that the 
ball threw rotten woqd into it. Poor fellow ! he afterwards 
laid down his young life on an ensanguined battle-field. 

"' The Sunday evening following our encampment here, a 
farmer-looking citizen might have been seen strolling along 
by the river's side in an apparently languid, leisurely manner, 
leading by the hand a small girl. That old farmer was our 
Col. Russell. He had borrowed a suit of clothes and the 
little child for that special occasion, and was studying the 
condition of things on the other side. He arrived at a con- 
clusion, and decided to try the bridge. Daring the evening 
he visited the captain of Company A, who are on the picket- 
line, and told him to make an attempt to cross over Bottom's 
Bridge at daylight in the morning. He thought that there 
was but a small force there ; yet there might be a large one 
' playing possum.' We get the news, and have time to 
think it over. The bridge had been partially destroyed ; but 
the stringers were left, and were passable for pedestrians. 
There were two men to a picket-post, and about forty 
posts of our men strung along the river. Toward morning, 
' Toodles,' who was on duty near the bridge, conceives the 
brilliant idea that it is the better part of strategy to surprise 
the bridge, the rebs, and the regimental commanders, by 
effecting a crossing before daylight. He came down to my 



ON THE CHICKAHOMINY. 30 

post, which Avas next to his, loaded witli his important decis- 
ion, and we immediately agreed to it. Then each post was 
visited, and a signal adopted for a grand rally, near the bridge, 
on double-quick time. 

" The eastern horizon begins to show signs of approaching 
day while we await the signal to start on what may be a 
perilous adventure. 

"Ilark! There goes the signal, a low whistle, which is 
sent down the line ; a few moments of breathless suspense, 
and then there is heard a subdued tramp of hurried feet. 
Away we go in a long, trailing line for the bridge, — yes, and 
riglit over it with our acquired momentum, where we rally 
in line, and are ready to fight any foe who dare to put in 
an appearance. The boys are in the humor for a free fight, 
for their enthusiasm is at fever-heat. There are no officers 
to interfere with them, and each man is his own captain 
and. commander-in-chief. On the rising ground a few rods 
beyond us is a house ; and in the dusky morning light, forms 
are seen flitting about. 

" ' Toodles,' who hardly ever opened his mouth without 
putting his foot into it, hailed with, ' What regiment is 
that ? ' And the reply came back, ' The Tenth.' — ' The 
Tenth, hey!' says Toodles. 'I didn't know that you got 
over here ahead of us.' He had addled his brain over the 
Tenth Massachusetts. ' What regiment is that?' now came 
from the whole rebel side. ' The 199th,' the answer. 
' 199th what/ ' — ' The 199th Massachusetts.'— ' Ha, ha ! 
just the condemned sons of dogs we are after ! ' and with 
the exclamation came a pattering volley from rebeldom, 
shot wildly into the thin air, and about as random a volley 
was returned ; that is, our guns were pointed somewhere 
in their direction. 

" This shooting in the dark, S(|uinting over invisil)le sights, 
is not conducive to good marksmanship. After emptying 
our 'pieces' a gallant charge was made with a rush for 
the Johnnies; but there was ' mountino- in hot haste.' a 



40 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER IN'FANTRY. 

clatter of hoofs, and the foe is up and away for Richmond 
to sjDread the news that the ' Yanks ' have crossed the 
Chickahominy in heavy force. The discharge of musketry 
on tlie resonant morning atmosphere has stirred up the 
captain ; and he comes over, rubbing his eyes in a bewildered 
manner, more surprised at our temerity than the rebs 
themselves. When he became thoroughly awake, and had 
recovered from his astonishment, he sent a man to apprise 
the colonel of the doings of the privates of Company A. 
Russell soon put in an appearance, and there was not a 
sleepy indication about his person. There was not a more 
pleased man in the whole Army of the Potomac. He im- 
mediately sent for the regimental colors, and planted them 
on the position we had so nobly taken in a bloodless charge : 
then he made a speech to us, complimenting us upon our 
bravery and dash. I have often wondered since what he 
would have said to the survivors had we run our noses 
into a snag, or fell into a trap, and had suffered a terrible 
loss, as we were liable to do had there been a large body 
of the enemy lurking in the vicinit}-. No doubt, the bril- 
liancy of the foolhardy movement would have been dimmed 
by blood, and nothing gained thereby. But in war it is 
the foolhardy movements, when successful, that win the 
applause of men, and another laurel is added to the science 
of so-called military strategy. But if failure stamps it with 
its iron hoof of fate, the fool in it bulges into such prominence 
that there are none so low but feel above its contempt. 
Russell's triumph was of but a few hours' duration ; for at 
about noon of that day, May 24, Naglee's brigade of Casey's 
division crossed over the river, and made a movement 
toward Fair Oaks, met the enemy's outpost, and had a 
little skirmish. Russell was in a towering passion at 
having the front, won by his men, so ruthlessly wrested 
from his grasp ; and he sought the headquarters of Gen. 
Keyes. After an hour's absence he came back, all smiles 
asrain. 



ON THE CHICKAHOMINY. 41 

" He said, 'They tried to take the front away from us after 
we had earned the position, but they didn't do it, and Gen. 
Naglee is ordered back to the rear; so we have the front 
again, the position of honor, which we may well feel proud 
of.' 

" Well, we were not the ' leastest ' mite proud ; and honors 
get mighty thin and easy by the time they are filtered through 
to the privates, so we were not very enthusiastic in spirit, or 
great sticklers over the proprieties of military etiquette : but 
in order to be in harmony with the commander, the boys 
strove to look pleased, and essayed a feeble cheer. IVIen learn 
fast in the fires of battle ; and they had already learned that 
the road to military honor was crimsoned with blood, and 
paved with dead and mutilated humanity. I have given in 
full the particulars of what is called the ' battle of Bottom's 
Bridge.' There was no battle about it, and it can scarcely 
be lifted to the dignity of a skirmish. 

"After the crossing of Bottom's Bridge had become an 
established fact, the troops of the army were pushed over the 
Chickahominy to establish their lines. Casey's division, the 
greenest troops of Keyes's corps, were given the front. They 
were given a position a half a mile or more in advance of 
what was called the Seven Pines, while Couch's division lay 
within supporting distance at Seven Pines. Heintzelman's 
corps were still farther to the rear ; Kearney's division was 
near Savage Station, and Hooker's guarding White-Oak 
Swamp. 

" We were in camp on the Williamsburg road in an open 
field surrounded by woods. Each company was allowed but 
two camp-kettles wherein to cook their coffee, beans, or rice, 
so that our courses were few and far between. Every morn- 
ing teams came over and brouglit a day's ration of grub, and 
then hurried away as though they were expected to be lit 
upon and gobbled up by the enemy. Near where we were 
located, the rebs had an encampment of board shanties: aiul 
when we arrived, tliere was a grabbing of boards for ilooring 



42 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

of tents : and the men who had grabbed the most boards, 
grabbed with them a prize that was destined to thrive 
and stick to him through his entire term of service in the 
arm)^ 

" I give the readers fair warning, that if they are inclined 
to be squeamish, or have fastidious tastes, they had better not 
go any farther with me in this paper. No picture of army 
life would be complete without giving a hasty touch, at least, 
on this subject. I have had them ; and the remembrance of 
them inclines me even now, to stop scratching with the pen, 
and use the finger-tips as assiduously as of yore. The gray- 
backs, as the soldiers on both sides came to call them, first 
made themselves felt in Couch's division at Seven Pines. 
It was there they introduced themselves to us, with the 
understanding that they had come to stay. Victory or de- 
feat, rain or shine, did not deter them from doing what they 
had marked out as their duty ; and they did it nobly, if there 
was any thing noble in sticking to a fellow who didn't want 
their attentions. 

My first experience witli the ' critters ' Vv'as humiliating. 
I was the happy possessor of two 'brand new' warranted 
all-wool shirts ; but there came a time when one of them 
appeared to have become possessed of devils, and ' I felt 
the awful sense of something crawling 'round me.' Shame 
overcame me : and a lonely guilt so bore me down that 
I crept into my tent, and surreptitiously tucked my other 
shirt under my blouse, and skulked away into the woods, 
into its innermost recess; and there I exchanged the gar- 
ments, and cast the inhabited uue into the solitude of the 
bushes, to multiply and replenish at other expense than mine. 
When I returned to the camp, I found that the profound 
secret which each man had locked within his own breast, and 
carried around in his shirt, had become an open one ; and it 
had leaked out that every man, from general to private, was 
guilt}^ of secretl}^ supporting a body-guard. Gen. Couch's 
headquarters were placarded with a legend which read, ' All 



ox THE CHICKAHOMINY. 43 

persons carrying uncles or aunts about tlieir person are 
requested to keep away from this tent/ 

" The colonel was inquiring for the whereabouts of a sut- 
ler. He wanted to buy a shirt, as he had thrown his away ; 
and he said it wasn't ragged nor dirty either. After hearing 
all this, I concluded that I had been hasty in my action ; and 
so I rushed into the woods in search of the discarded gar- 
ment, but could not find it. Some one less squeamish than 
I had picked it up, or it had crawled away beyond ni}* find. 
All manner of schemes and devices were resorted to in order 
to get the better of the pests. In camp, where time and 
opportunity gave a man an even show in the war of exter- 
mination, a camp-kettle and boiling water was all-sufficient. 
But some 'shiftless cuss' managed to retain a stock t]': t on 
a campaign would spread and multiply beyond tlic needs of 
practical utility. Ike Plunkins said, ' The best way to fix 
the varmints is to turn your shirt wrong side out, and it 
gives them a day's march to outflank the position.' An- 
other way that was in common use was the singeing process : 
a man would hold his shirt over a fire, and singe it as people 
do poultry. Whether it amounted to any thing, is more 
than any one could tell ; but there was satisfaction in it, at 
least, when in imagination you pictured the tortures of the 
writhing victim ; and the thoughts of the good old doctrine 
preached from home-pulpits, that once wrung our youthful 
hearts with woe, would well up in our minds, and we were 
happy as parsons who roast and toast sinners over their 
fervid theological coals. 

"Soap was my hobby; and I kept tlie seams of all my 
garments well supplied with the. requisite every day (if the 
rush of business did not interpose), and thereby thought 
that I retarded tlie multiplication of the ever present re- 
minder that man was not born to walk the earth alone. But 
why dwell longer on the subject ? Every old soldier knows 
how it is himself, while those who have never stood in line 
at rigid attention can never know what a blood-curdling sen- 



44 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

sation tingles the very fibres of the soul as marshalled hosts 
creep insidiously over their flesh. Ugh ! with army life a 
cruel dream where nightmare lurked fading out of life's 
horizon, let us bid the puny pests of the past a lasting fare- 
well, I hope forever." 




I'wii' II. i>m:k 

Cn\>\iun Co. ••.\.-' 



CHAPTER VII. 

BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 

ON the 24th marched five miles towards Richmond, and 
encamped ; and on the 25th marched three miles, and 
encamped near Fair Oaks, where we were engaged with the 
rest of the brigade in building rifle-pits, which were so use- 
ful in the battle soon after fought. The battle of Fair Oaks 
was fought under great disadvantages on the part of the 
Fourth Corps, its poorest and weakest division being in the 
advance under a superannuated general, whose personal 
magnetism and bearing amounted to but very little as a 
factor in holding green and undisciplined troops up to the 
work in severe action. On Saturday and Sunday the Fourth 
Corps was in position as indicated by the accompanying dia- 
gram of that battle, Gen. Casey's division being in front, with 
Couch's division in rear as support about one mile off, and 
Hooker and Kearney's division being in support on the left 
rear. 

About two o'clock on May 31 the rebels moved up to the 
attack in overwhelming numbers, brushing away the skir- 
mishers of Casey's division as a broom sweeps cobwebs from 
a ceiling, and soon struck Naglee's brigade, which, after a 
brisk fire, was forced back upon the reserves. On came the 
rebels in magnificent style ; and soon Casey's division, or the 
largest portion of it, was routed by superior numbers, some 
parts of it doing excellent fighting, while others were alto- 
gether too active in getting away from the roaring sliot and 
shell, and whistling ping of the minie. Presently portions 



46 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

of Couch's division were ordered up to stay the on-rushing 
line of rebels, but to little purpose ; and as Gen. Couch 
took his old brigade in hand to ward off an impending blow 
upon the right flank of the corps, he was forced into a 
position to the extreme right, and separated from the rest of 
his division. He found it a useless task to try to cut his 
way through the rebel lines, and withdrew towards Fair- 
Oaks Station on the York-river Railroad, and nine-mile road 
to Richmond, where he secured a very strong position, to 
which he clung with great tenacit}', until relieved by the 
welcome troops of Sumnei-'s Second Corps. This corps had 
come up as fast as legs could carry them through the seas of 
mud and water; and by their timely assistance. Couch's rem- 
nant was saved from destruction. 

The Seventh Massachusetts, with the rest of the brigade 
under Gen. Devens, was actively engaged in this battle ; but 
our casualties were few in number, owing to Col. Russell 
keeping his men under cover, — and when did this com- 
mander ever commit an error in saving the lives of his men? 
— our loss being four men wounded, the regiment having 
been used as a support to a battery of heavy artillery. 

The following description of the battle of Fair Oaks, 
written by Comrade Goss for " The AVoonsocket Patriot," 
is here inserted as being of interest to the readers of this 
history : — 

" The Army of the Potomac is in a bad situation. Four 
divisions of it are across the Chickahominy widely scattered, 
while their nearest support is Sumner's corps, separated from 
them by a river that was flooded by a freshet. Gen. Sum- 
ner's troops arrived at the river on the 2-4th of May. In 
view of the situation of the advance of the army on the 
Richmond side, he came to the conclusion that his services 
might be needed across the river at any moment. On the 
25th he sent for Col. E. E. Cross of the Fifth New Hamp- 
shire, and requested him to construct a bridge over the 
stream. The New-Hampshire boys, with the aid of a small 



BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 47 

detail from the Sixtv-fouith and Sixty-ninth New-York 
regiments, built a bridge eighty rods in length, through a 
swamp and over the river, in a little over four days, having 
it all completed on the night of the 30th. This bridge 
was composed of good solid logs, many of them cut half a 
mile up the stream, and floated down by wading and swim- 
ming men. It was bound together and anchored with grape- 
vines, from which it took its name of the ' Grapevine 
Bridge.' The work was well done by the hardy sons of 
the ' Granite State,' who shortly after proved their fighting 
qualities on the Fair-Oaks battle-field ; and at the end of the 
war their record was second to none, and equalled only by a 
select few. Col. Cross, who laid down his life at Gettys- 
burg, is one of the few names of his rank that will live in our 
nation's history as a grateful remembrance of heroic service 
rendered in its hour of peril. 

" When the bridge was finished. Col. Cross rode over it 
and back on a gallop, to show its compactness. The 'Grape- 
vine Bridge " proved an important factor in the Fair-Oaks bat- 
tles, and one that was overlooked by the rebel general, 
Johnson, as he thought to crush and annihilate the forces of 
Keyes and Heintzelman before re-enforcements could reach 
them. It is an easy task to plan a battle if the enemy will 
only do as is expected of them, which they ' most always 
don't.' A battle-plan supposes that every part of the army 
will work like a perfect machine, and will be in its place in 
the nick of time, which hardly ever comes to pass in the best 
disciplined army. In Johnson's plan, Sumner's troops were 
left out of his calculations ; and Huger's, whom he had sent 
around White-Oak swamp to flank our left, he had counted 
in, which was quite a balance in our favor : and we were in 
need of the whole balance in order to hold our lines. 

"Gen. Johnson intended to made us an early call ; but on 
account of the heavy roads, he did not get along until near 
noon. On the morning of May 31, the teams came up, and 
donated us a ration of beans ; and I was detailed to cook the 



48 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

company's dinner. The two kettles of beans were over a 
fire, boiling, and anxious men were calling around at times to 
see if ' them are beans were done.' I see that all the his- 
torians of the battle fix the time of its opening after the 
dinner-hour ; either they are mistaken in the time, or we were 
late with dinner that day, which, I think, we were not. At 
about half-past eleven, as I remember the time, from the 
front was heard a spluttering, scattering fire of musketry 
detonated by a bass-drum-like chorus from a piece of artil- 
lery. There was an immediate getting on of equipments by 
all the men, and a falling into company lines without an 
order being uttered. I fell in with the rest of the boys, leav- 
ing the beans to go it alone. The lieutenant in command 
ordered me out of the ranks, telling me that it was nothing 
but a skirmish, and that I must stay to look after the camp, 
and have dinner ready for them when they came back ; so I 
fell back on the support of the beans, and looked, and listened 
to the fight. I watched the regimental line form, and saw it 
depart for the front on the 'double quick,' urged on by 
a general's aid. The spluttering fire of skirmishers has 
increased to volleys, then to a sullen, continuous roar, above 
which could be heard the pounding of the cannon. Gen. 
Naglee has, with his brigade, advanced, and met the enemy; 
but he is outflanked and brushed aside, yet he makes a valiant 
fight against fearful odds. Casey is flanked b}^ the enemy 
on his left, and falls back upon Couch, who now stubbornly 
contests the ground inch by inch, but is outnumbered three 
to one. The division is broken up, and regiments sent in 
different directions to strive to hold the line. Casey's troops, 
many of them, fight on with fearful loss ; while others break 
up, and go to the rear like sheep struck with a panic. From 
my post of observation I watch the procession ; first come 
trailing to the rear coatless men by twenties and by fifties, 
with picks and shovels ; the}^ had been disobeying Gen. Mc- 
Clellan's order, which specified that each man working on 
intrenchments should wear his full equipments, while a com- 



BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 49 

rade should stand near and hold his gun while he worked. 
After the trenchers had passed, the men who were holding 
guns came trooping b}'^ : at any rate, they had guns, and were 
not putting them to a ver}' good use in this hour of need. 
This being in the rear of a battle is enough to drive out all 
the faith one has in the heroic devotion of man to his coun- 
try. If you ask one of these skedaddlers where his regiment 
is, he will pull down his chin, and mournfully swear that ' it 
is all cut to pieces,' and he is the only survivor. The plot 
thickens : the wounded are being brought along ; a captain 
of the Tenth Massachusetts, very badl}^ wounded, is lying 
under cover of the hill that makes my cook-stand a place of 
safety. Shells begin to shriek out their warning cry that 
death is carried within them ; and the leaden bullets are be- 
ginning to buzz about our ears admonishing us that our rear 
position is getting well up towards the front. The wounded 
were taken farther to the rear, and soon ' Sampy ' — my 
aid — and I are left alone. The right of our line has 
crumbled and gone to pieces under the heavy pressure of 
the rebels' flanking movement. The Tenth Massachusetts, 
after the breaking up of Casey's troops, endeavored to stem 
the storm of battle on the right, and were broken up 
and re-formed three times on a new rear line, only to be 
outflanked again on their new line ; luit in spite of their 
defeats and terrible losses, they struggled heroically, like 
old veterans of a hundred battles. Other regiments were 
doing the same heroic duty as the Tenth, which was only a 
specimen of the tenacious grip of the Northern soldier when 
his fighting blood was up. Col. Russell and his regiment 
stood by the Tenth in the earlier part of the fight, but were, 
with the Sixty-second New York, ' Anderson's Zouaves,' 
and another regiment, — the Fifty-fifth New York, I think, — 
ordered off to the extreme right, near Fair Oaks, to check a 
movement of rebel troops under the command of Gen. Gusta- 
vusW. Smith, who was striving to wedge in between the river 
and our line of retreat towards Hdttonrs Bridge. This move- 



50 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

ment transferred the final battle-field from Seven Pines on the 
Williamsburg road to a point a mile farther north and across 
the railroad below Fair-Oaks station. My narrative, b}- a 
devious route, will convey me there also. As I before re- 
marked, ' Sampy ' and I appeared to be left alone. ' Sampy ' 
was anxious to leave, and kept saying, ' Let's go.' Sampy 
was the nickname of a young fellow of about twenty years, 
who was any thing rather than a soldier : he would forage, 
steal, bum, beat, or cook better than he could fight. I was 
in no hurry to leave a position apparently free from danger, 
and so hung on, crawling up the little eminence at times to 
get an observation of the surroundings. At last I discovered 
a rebel line of battle in the edge of the woods on the oppo- 
site side of the camp, looking for some one or more to 
shoot at. I held up my cap invitingly, while I lay low, 
and the bullets began to whistle, and whisper ' zip.' So I 
* skun ' down the hill, dumped the beans, packed up, and pre- 
pared to toddle. But which way ? was now the question for 
us to solve. Shells were screaming over us, and bursting in the 
swamp in our rear ; and our only path of retreat appeared to 
be in that direction, but we were a ' little bit ' afraid of those 
shells. Sampy was, at any rate, so there is no need of giving 
myself away ; and to please him, I concluded we had better 
try the Williamsburg road. We had gone but a short dis- 
tance in that direction when we met a wounded man, who 
told us not to go there, as the shot was coming like hail down 
the road. The wounded man had a broken-handle shovel in 
his hand, which he had held against his head in his retreat, 
to ward off the leaden hail. 

" This young man chanced to have been a schoolmate of 
mine in days gone by ; and here we meet on the battle-field, 
after years of separation, and here we renew old acquaint- 
ance amid the rattle of musketry and the artillery's thunder- 
ous roar. He had become a carpenter, and had drifted down 
iato the State of Mississippi to ply his trade. When the 
war had become a foregone conclusion, he hurried North- 



BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 51 

ward. On arriving in Pennsyh^ania, he saw a chance to 
enlist : and his loyalty for the old flag was so intense, that he 
was afraid, if he went back to his old home, the fighting 
positions would all be filled, and that he would be left out 
in the cold ; so he enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment, and 
again set his face Southward without visiting his relatives 
and friends. Here is a specimen of patriotism for croakers 
to chew upon. The army was well supplied with such men 
in the ranks, and the word ' fail ' never appeared upon their 
banners. The generals often got whipped, but the army 
never. 

" We concluded to try the swamp route. I carried a gun 
with a full set of equipments, a knapsack, an axe, and one 
end of a pole, whereon were strung the camp-kettles. 
Never did cooks make a more orderly or leisurely retreat. 
Leisurely, because, in the promiscuous fighting, it was a 
question as to which way the rear was. There was a rebel 
line near the Williamsburg road ; and they were banging 
away for all they w^ere worth, apparently to hear themselves 
make a noise, as there were no troops to oppose them within 
a mile, except a few stragglers like myself ; for by this time 
Casey's and most of Couch's men had pulled out of range 
of the rebel fire. A few regiments of Couch's division were 
down below Fair-Oaks station, cut off from the main body, 
and they were hard pressed. The rebel lines about Seven 
Pines seemed to be satisfied with their victory, as they made 
no attempt to advance farther, but contented themselves 
with random shots in the woods on their front. When we 
reached the open ground, after playing hide and seek in the 
woods, dodging the range of shells, we joined forces with a 
colonel, who was leading his horse to the rear. Whether he 
had left his command, or his command had left him, was more 
than I was able to find out, as he was not in a talking mood. 
He appeared to be willing to be guided by my judgment as 
to the safest line of retreat ; but I finally lost sight of him 
in a belt of woods wliicli the rebs were so intent upon 



52 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

shelling that I backed out of them, and made tracks for the 
railroad. When we found the railroad, we also found Gen. 
Berry with his brigade, which was part of Kearny's division, 
his advance guard in fact. Gen. Berry was fooling around 
there, marching and countermarching his regiments for a 
long time, and he personally refused to let us pass to the 
rear of him ; so we sat on the bank, and watched what I 
should call his red-tape manoeuvres. While we are waiting 
for Berry to move on, I will describe a battle-field scene 
which is inscribed so vividly upon the tablets of my memory 
that it will never be erased therefrom. About an eighth of 
a mile to the rear of our camp, within a clear space in the 
surrounding woods, was a little white cottage embowered in 
a mass of roses of all the hues ever assumed by that queen 
of flowers. Its occupants were apparently mother and 
daughter, of about twenty and forty years of age. In my 
retreat, either solicitude or curiosity prompted me to look in 
upon them, and see how they were getting along. The older 
lady was a consumptive, and confined to her bed. The 
picture that greeted me was worthy of a master, to be 
preserved on canvas. The daughter sat by the bedside, her 
countenance calm and unmoved by the terrible din of battle 
which raged all around them. Hurtling shot and shell 
hissed and shrieked about them, while volleys roared, and 
cannon thundered ; yet there she sat, with not a tremor of 
fear apparent, clasping the hand of the mother, who lay with 
closed eyes, overshadowed by a pallid, death-like hue. I 
seemed to hear the flutter of the wings of the death-angel ; 
so I turned, closed the door softly, and stole away. The 
participants in the raging tumult of war outside were in- 
truders in that room of quiet peace. 

" But Berry has solved his problem to his satisfaction, and 
has moved on : so we take to the road, but in order to push 
to the rear ; but a guard is stationed there, and we are 
ordered off, with the information that the rebs have planted 
a battery, and are going to sweep the road clean ; so we 



BATTLi: OF FAIR OAKS. 53 

compromise by keeping the bank, and reach a point near 
Savage Station in safety. Here I leave Sampy in charge of 
the camp property, and begin to look for the regiment. 
One of the Tenth men told me that it was all cut into pieces, 
and scattered, as he saw them go in where the firing was 
hot, and the fighting terrible. I finally find the surgeon, and 
he gives me a back-handed blessing for skulking at the rear ; 
and I retort in about the same strain. He condescends at 
last to give me the desired information, — that they are up the 
railroad, and on the right of it: then I depart for the front 
like a little hero, leaving the doctor in a frame of mind that 
seemed to intimate that he would like to saw my leg off. 
The doctor and I never came together without a brush ; for 
there was no love between us, and all on account of my 
refusal to swallow his dirty drugs when I was under che 
weather, and he pronounced me sick, and then he swore I 
wasn't sick. He was a very irritable man, anyway, and 
suffered from dyspepsia very severely. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES. 

WALTER S. GOSS thus describes the movement to 
the James in " The Woonsocket Patriot " of June 
4, 1886: — 

" We are now entering upon a season of blood-letting that 
gave the fighting-men of the army their fill. Gen. Robert E. 
Lee had taken the command of the Confederate army ; and 
while Gen. McClellan was felicitating himself and the Wash- 
ington authorities with despatches, that he had his army just 
where he wanted t?iem, Lee was forging a thunderbolt to be 
launched upon him, that would send him and his army, that 
' was never checked ' in the vigor of a fighting flight, to the 
sheltering banks of the River James. Jackson had cut loose 
from Gens. Shields and Banks, and had re-enforced Lee. The 
initiatory movement was made on the 25th of June on 
Hooker's front, which was a line a little in advance of 
Casey's old position prior to the battle of Seven Pines. 

" I remember that on the morning of the 25th that I 
had charge of the first relief of the regimental camp-guard. 
My guard had not been posted over fifteen minutes when 
orders came to me to double-quick around the camp, and order 
the guard to report to their companies immediately, and then 
pack up, and fall into my own company I made a flying run 
around that camp ; and before I got back to my quarters, the 
regiment was oif on a run. To pack up the few duds in my 
possession was not a hard task ; and that done, I headed up 
the Williamsburg pike, trailing after the guard, which looked 




Aicrsrrs w. i.oriiRoi' 

I St. Lieutenant Co. " ( ',." 



MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES. 55 

like the tail to the regimental kite. Ha ! that was a hard 
run of two miles. The weather was hot, and the perspiration 
streamed from every pore. 

" We hove to in front of a redoubt, and stood there in 
line long enough to have walked slowly over the track: we 
had come under the pressure of a hasty call. We had thought 
that the fate of the Republic was hanging on our being there ; 
but it wasn't — it was only a military spasm of some one in 
authority, who told us to ' git up and git,' and that is why 
we dusted in such a hurry. The fort was located on the crest 
of a gentle declivity. 

" The artillery stationed at tlie fort was throwing case-shot 
and shell over our heads into the woods beyond. It is not a 
comfortable position to stand in front of shooting artillery- 
men, even if they do belong to the friendly side. Experience 
had taught us that missiles were not to be depended on to 
reach tlie enemy's lives at all times, and this time was not an 
exception ; for a flying fragment from one of the guns struck 
the first lieutenant of Company B in the side, and killed him 
instantly. My ambition was not to die for my country, and, 
least of all, by the friendly hands of a gunner. It was an act 
of careless murder, and hundreds of men lost their lives 
during the war by the reckless carelessness of those 
whose business it was to waste all such ammunition on 
the enemy. 

"We soon leave the dangerous rear behind, and, with 
regimental front, go plunging into the thick brush. Here 
we walk over a recumbent line of men, and the order 
came to halt. Russell, who always appeared to he more 
afraid of the troops in his rear than those on his front, 
sent in his usual challenge of, ' What regiment is that ? " 
A stout, florid man, with whiskers of a sunset hue, assumed 
the perpendicuhir, and promptly announced that it was the 
New-York Excelsior Brigade, commanded by Gen. Sickles. 
' This regiment,' said he, ' is the Second Excelsior, and I am 
Gen. Sickles.' Tlie information ditl not ap[«car to weigh 



56 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

very heavily on the mind of our valiant colonel, as he 
replied, ' Well, I want you to remember that I am in front 
of you ; and if your men fire into my regiment, 1 will about 
face, and fight you, dem ya I ' 

" It was the first time that I had seen the much-noted 
man ; but several months later, when he had but one leg, I 
acted as liis orderly a few hours, when he was on a tour of 
inspection, and was not feeling very proud over it either, as I 
had to take the place of his minus leg every time he moved, 
and felt more than relieved when I helped him into his car- 
riage, and saw him ride away. 

''After the colonel had relieved his pent-up thoughts on 
the valiant, robust general, he gave the order to forward; and 
as we advanced, the enemj^ fell back. It was not a part of 
their programme to make or bring on a fight at this point, 
and the probabilities were that the line on our front were the 
only troops there : at any i-ate, they were willing to keep qiiiet 
if we would let them. This battle-field is known by the name 
of Oak Grove ; but I saw no grove, unless the scrub-oaks, that 
were not high enough to hide a man's head from the reb 
sharpshooters, can be termed a grove, by applying the Cape- 
Cod theory that ' two huckleberry bushes and a mullein-stalk 
make a grove." The fighting is not very ferocious along our 
part of the line, as we are simplj^ watching each other: now 
and then volleys of musketry thunder along the line, and the 
enemy's sharpshooters keep up a continual sputtering ; for 
wherever they see a head, they are bound to hit it. They 
became so troublesome that the colonel called for two volun- 
teers to creep up and pick them off. I was a volunteer, but 
was told that my services were not wanted. The colonel 
picked out his men, two of the worst ones in the company, 
and they crept away to the rear: if thej' got any nearer 
to the enemy than they were when they started, it was a 
mistake on their part. They are now both borne on the 
regimental rolls as deserters. 

" Those sharpshooters soon taught us to keep our heads 



MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES. 57 

down if we wished to keep them intact. The clay wore 
slowly away, as we lay there upon oui- bellies, and munched 
hard-tack, with eyes and ears open to catch the first signs 
of hostilities. We were so near Richmond that the city- 
clocks could be heard announcing the time of day during 
the intervals of oppressive silence. 

" On a quiet summer's day, there are lulls in the most 
liardly contested battles where the silence becomes oppres- 
sive, from the fact that every combatant is in momentary 
expectancy : for like a thunderbolt from a cloudless sky, 
comes the shock of battle ; it rolls along the line, and dies 
away like pattering raindrops after a shower ; then suddenly, 
like a flash of blinding light, it leaps forth with a maddening, 
tumultuous crash that seems to make the earth quake ; while 
weak, sensitive humanity shrivels, and shrinkliiigl}'' crawls 
into its boots. There is no doubt that the fellow who 
wanted swords beaten into ploughshares, and the spears into 
pruniug-hooks, had been there. But if he had been so un- 
fortunate as to have lived in the days of gunpowder detona- 
tion, he would have prayed that the thundering cannon 
might be ground into G. A. R. badges and sewing-machines, 
and placed under the peaceful footing of blessed, non-com- 
batant women. 

" As the sun dips below the western horizon, the reb 
plucks up courage under the conviction that our quiet 
demeanor proves that we have left the field clear for him 
to post his pickets near where our lines had been ; so he 
•advances with two pieces of artillery, one throwing shells, 
the other shrapnel. They kept advancing and firing until 
they came so near our lines that we could distinctly hear the 
•orders to load and fire, and hear the ])ercussion snap, before 
the ex])losion of the i)iece. We had orders to keep quiet 
-and hold our ground at all hazards : and as they trimmed 
the scrub-oaks over us, I did my share of holding that ground 
down; for I pressed the bosom of old mother earth with all 
the avoirdupois of my weightiness. I really belie\c that 



58 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

the impression of my body can be found in that scrub-oak,, 
even unto this day. One of the hardest things in war is to 
lie quiescent, and let the other fellows do all the shooting. 
I never felt so much like going for any thing — no, not even 
a square meal — as I did for those guns ; but we must obey 
orders if it took a leg. 

" The big guns had met with no response from our side, 
so we heard the Johnnies coming in to establish their picket 
line. Somehow the idea had become iiupressed upon my 
mind that the average reb did not know what fear was ; but 
we soon learned that the fear principle was as deeply graven 
on the rebel heart as it was on ours, and that fact aided our 
courage materially. The Johnnies on our front were very 
reluctant to advance, and needed a large amount of urging 
to get them along : we could hear their officers tell them to 
'Come along! what are you afraid of? The Yanks have 
all gone.' The men didn't appear to believe their officers ; 
and we knew they lied, although we did not tell them so — 
from motives of policy. They commenced to put out their 
picket-posts ; and so near were they to our lines, that a lieu- 
tenant with three men nearly stumbled over us ; as we raise 
up with bayonets charged, he softly remarked, 'Put those 
guns down, boys : I am afraid of them.' He and his men 
stepped over us as coolly as though they were on dress-parade, 
and they were taken to the rear. 

" That was a long, sleepless night for us ; it was dark : the 
mist settled down upon that low ground, and made every 
thing miserable, except the blackness of night. Our lines 
are so near together, that the breaking of a twig or dry stick 
would elicit a sheet of flame all along our line. One who 
has never experienced a fight in the dark can have no idea 
of the lurid sight : suddenly, like a lightning flash, a dazzling 
sheet of flame leaps out of the inky darkness, and roaring 
volleys pierce the midnight silence ; then its echoes die away, 
and silence reigns supreme, while aching, overstrained ears 
in imagination hear the advancing tramp of hostile feet ; and 



MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES. 59 

again the ruddy flame lights up the scene, leaving behind a 
black pall that can be felt as well as seen. 

"• Russell does not appear to like his position : the other 
troops have fallen back to the intrenchraents, and we are in 
an exposed situation. To the rear of us, probably twenty 
rods away, is a road ; and back of this road the colonel orders 
his regiment, a company at a time. The company to which 
I belong has the right of the line : next us is Company G. 
As that company starts to fall back, the rebs catch on to 
them, and open up a sprightly little fire. Both sides are 
getting panicky, and the shooting is lively : our men, at the 
rear, are having a hack with the rebs in musketry duelling, 
while we lay between the two fires quietly, wishing they 
would stop that kind of fun. When the shooting at one 
another's flashes subsides, we also go out to the road. Some 
one has been sent to the rear, and a shovel or two for each 
company has been procured. A rail-fence was pulled down, 
and the rails packed atop one another, and mud was thrown 
over them, so that we had a shelter to lay behind ; and yet 
we keep the shovels busy until we have quite a respectable 
breastworks. 

" My job was an order to keep two men out a rod in 
advance of the rifle-pit. I think it was the hardest task that 
I ever undertook. In the first place, it was almost impos- 
sible to induce a man to go out across the road ; and then, 
when the shooting opened, in would run my l)rave men. 
Persuasion and threats were thrown away on such men : the 
unseen was more than their brains were able to cope with. 
It was useless to try to beat it into their heads that the 
rebs were as scared as they were ; that they could not be 
hired to advance an inch. No, it appeared impossible to 
them that a reb could get as cowardly as they felt just at 
that time. They did not say as much, but they acted it. 
Men who were brave to rashness in daylight were completely 
unnerved by this night's fitful blaze. They did not think 
or reason on the matter. Had they, the conung morn 



60 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, 

would have haunted them more than the present darkness; 
for all the danger of the situation lay in the movements of 
the enemy when the sun got up to throw his light upon the 
subject. 

" But when the day peeped out of the night, the demon- 
strations of our rebel neighbors ceased; and as their (and 
our) courage increased, gentle peace settled down upon our 
banners. Then we got out of the wilderness of a night of 
panic (not of the running kind), and steered straight back 
to our camp. 

" A fifteen hours" mental strain makes sad inroads upon a 
man's nervous system. When the excitement that has held 
him up has passed away, then the whole man relaxes, and 
tumbles to pieces physically, and he becomes as limp as a 
wet dish-rag : at least, that is the way I felt the next day, 
and I was not alone in that wav of feeling.'" 



CHAPTER IX. 

FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 

\ FTER the battle, details were sent out to buiy tlie dead, 
-^-^ and to burn the dead horses. The regiment was sent, 
June 2, to Golding's Farm, two miles to right front, where 
they intrenched. On the 5th supported a battery at the 
farm, lying in line of battle for two days ; were then 
ordered to Savage Station, where we remained performing 
picket duty until the forced reconnoissance of jDarts of the 
First and Fourth Corps. In the advance ordered by Gen. 
McClellan preparatory to the attack ordered to be made on 
the Nine-mile Road, he says, in his general orders, " for the 
advance of the army, and attack on Richmond." This 
attack of June 25 was for the purpose of securing additional 
ground, so as to deploy and advance sufficient force for a 
determined attack upon the fortifications of Richmond. The 
re':istance Avas very stubborn, and the Union forces suffered 
severely. The Seventh Massachusetts was engaged, losing 
quite a number of brave men, sixteen being killed and 
wounded. It was the severest engagement the regiment had 
been in, as related to direct casualties. 

Gen. McClellan says, in his report of the Army of the 
Potomac in the Peninsula, — 

" On the 25th of June, our bridges and intreuchments 
being at last completed, an advance of our picket-line on the 
left was ordered, preparatory to a general forward movement. 
Immediately in front of the most advanced redoubt on the 
Williamsburg road was a large, open field ; beyond that, a 



62 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

swampy belt of timber some five hundred yards wide, which 
had been disputed ground for many days. Farther in advance 
was an open field crossed by the V\"illiamsburg road and the 
railroad, and commanded by a redoubt and rifle-pits of the 
enemy. It was decided to push our lines to the other side 
of these woods in order to enable us to ascertain the nature of 
the ground, and to place Gens. Heintzelman and Sumner 
in position to support the attack intended to be made on 
the Old Tavern on the 26th or 27th by Gen. Franklin assault- 
ing that position in the rear. Between eight and nine o'clock 
on the morning of the 25th, the advance was begun by Gen. 
Heintzelman 's corps. The enemy was found to be in strong 
force all along the line, and contested the advance stubbornly ; 
but by sunset our object was accomplished. The troops 
engaged in this affair were the whole of Heintzelman's 
corps. Palmer's brigade of Couch's division of Keyes's corps, 
and a part of Richardson's division of Sumner's corps.'' 

Also the Seventh Massachusetts of Couch's division, Dev- 
ens's brigade, Keyes's corps, but which is omitted by Gen. 
McClellan in his report. But the Seventh was in that fight, 
losing sixteen men, all told, out of the five hundred and six- 
teen lost by the troops engaged, supposed to be some twenty- 
five thousand in all. Quite a respectable number for the 
smallest organization to lose ! 

On the 26th and 2Tth, Lee and Jackson commenced the 
historical movement around McClellan's right flank, which 
necessitated the raising of the siege of Richmond, and his 
retreat, or change of base, to the James River, — a move- 
ment which was only accomplished after rivers of blood had 
been shed, and an immense amount of material destroyed. 

The Seventh Massachusetts and Couch's division on the 
2Tth marched eight miles towards Malvern Hill, and camped 
for the night on the Charles-city Road, Gen. Keyes's corps 
having been ordered to cross White-Oak Swamp to cover the 
reserve artillery and baggage-train in advance of the grand 
move towards the James River. 



FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 63 

On the 28th marched five miles and encamped, and on the 
29th had a skirmish with the enemy's cavalry. This cavalry 
force belonged to Gen. Holmes's division on the river-road, 
and were roughly handled a day or two afterwards by Tay- 
lor's reserve artillery from the heights of Malvern and Turkey- 
Island Bridge. When we halted for the night, we had 
marched ten miles towards the James River. 

Sergeant Walter S. Goss, in " The Woonsocket Patriot "' 
of June 11, speaks of the situation as follows : — 

" Gen. McClellan was crying aloud to the powers in Wash- 
ington for heavy re-enforcements ; and on the supposition that 
he was to receive them, he had stretched the right of his line 
to Mechanicsville in order to form a junction with the corps 
of McDowell. But he received only the small division of Mc- 
Call's Pennsylvania reserves. The Northern army which was 
occupying Virginia was peculiarl}- situated. Fremont had an 
army in the mountainous regions ; Banks occupied, or tried 
to, the Shenandoah Valley ; and McDowell held the line of 
the Rappahannock, while McClellan was thundering at the 
gates of Richmond, and each was acting independently of 
the other commands, and each at last resolved themselves 
into forces of observation and defence, in place of " pooling 
their issues " by the concentration of their armies, and 
hurling them upon the enemy's front and flanks to crush him 
by the weight of their superior numbers. The armies for the 
defence of Washington had not even interested themselves 
in the whereabouts of Stonewall Jackson, the only army con- 
fronting them and menacing the capital, but re-enacted the 
part of Patterson, of Bull-Run notoriety, by loosing him from 
their grasp, that he might throw his force upon the long- 
drawn-out and thin lines of McClellan's right tlank. 

"" On the 26th of June, Confederates from the Richmond 
side of the Chickahominy crossed the river above Meadow 
Bridge, and at noon of that day attacked and drove in the 
Union pickets. The engagement is known as the battle 
of Mechanicsville, although it was fought on the left bank of 



64 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

the Beaver Dam Creek, the left of the line resting upon the 
Chickahominy, while the right was inclined to be '-'■ in the air," 
and was in thick woods beyond a road that lay between 
Mechanicsville and Cold Harbor. 

" The position was naturally a strong one for defence, and 
had been rendered more so by the careful preparation of the 
rifle-pits and filled timber. It was impracticable for the ad- 
vancement of offensive artillery, except by two roads — the 
upper and lower — where at different times the severest strug- 
gles .raged. McCall's troops held the front lines, and were 
supported by the brigades of Martindale and Griffin of Mor- 
rilFs division. The massed troops of the evening assailed the 
position savagely, and were repulsed, only to re-form, and like 
dashing waves to again break and shatter against the serial 
lines of the determined defenders who held the outposts of 
the position. The attack was made by A. P. Hill's division, 
which, according to the Richmond papers, got a severe pum- 
melling and sustained heavy losses, particularly among the 
ofiBcers ; the Forty-fourth Georgia and the First North Caro- 
lina were nearly annihilated in their first charge. At 9 p.m. 
the firing ceased, the enemy fell back, and the little san- 
guinary battle of Beaver-Dam Creek was at an end after six 
hours struggle. 

" McClellan had decided to abandon his exposed base of 
supplies, and remove it to the James River ; and Gen. Lee 
was an important factor in deciding him on that course, 
although Lee did not intend to let him go undisturbed, 
neither did he mean to let him get there. 

" In order to save his army, its heavy trains, and provide for 
his line of retreat, it was a necessity that McClellan should 
hold the left of the Chickahominy until he could gain time 
to provide and secure a new base of supplies upon the James. 

" For this purpose the Fifth Corps was withdrawn from 
its extended right position, and concentrated in and about 
the vicinity of Gaines's Mills, holding within its embrace the 
bridges over the River Chickahominy and within supporting 



FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 65 

distance of the army on the Richmond side. Before day- 
light of the morning of the 27th, Porter had removed his 
trains and most of the heavy guns across the river, also per- 
formed the delicate task of extricating the force at Beaver- 
Dam Creek from its perilous position, and was ready for the 
developments of the enemy's progress for the day. 

" The Confederate forces began to show themselves about 
noon, and at two o'clock r.M. the ball opened lively. At 
three o'clock the fighting had become so terrific that Porter 
had merged his supporting lines and all his reserves into the 
foremost line of battle, and called for re-enforcements. Never 
in the history of strife was more desperate, long-sustained 
fighting done. Porter's army of about twenty-five thousand 
men were holding in check the troops of Hill, Longstreet, 
and Jackson, who were assaulting them in front and in flank 
with an army of sixty thousand men. 

" Slocum's division arrived on the ground at half-past three, 
and were immediately broken into fragments, and sent to the 
weak spots in the line by brigades and regiments. For a 
season victory appeared to perch upon the Union banners. 
Porter's men had repulsed the assaults of the enemy all along 
tlieir line. The fighting grows fierce and desperate as the 
day wanes. The Confederates bring up their reserves, and 
hurl them with crushing force against the weak points of the 
Union line; every available man is now brought forward by 
the rebs, and massed columns are thrown with tremendous 
force in rapid and successive charges against the wavering 
Federal lines. Jackson finally gathers up the divisions of 
Whiting and Jackson, and throws them upon the Union left 
with furious assault, when Butterfield's brigade, which has 
for over an hour been gallantly holding back the enemy's 
furious onslaught, gives way before the heavy attack on 
front and flank, and goes scudding to the rear. The line 
begins to crumble and dissolve into fragments, and the day 
appears to have been lost by crushing defeat. Porter has 
again called tor help, and the brigades of Meagher and 



66 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

French are on the way to re-enforce him. Meantime chaos 
reigns all along his line : his men are discouraged, and are 
giving up the fight. The troops are breaking to the rear in 
confused masses, when two horsemen appear on the scene. 
Their steeds are white with foam as they furiously ride upon 
the field, brandishing their swords, and calling upon the men 
to form a line : they ride forward, and make a stand. Like 
magic the war-worn, disheartened men gather new courage 
under the leadership of these two officers. Gen. Porter and 
Col. Berdan, and form a defensive line half a mile or more at 
the rear of their old position. The men fell into line without 
regard to organization, as there was a curious mixture of 
States. Massachusetts men fought that day by the side of 
the heroic men of Michigan : it was a question of national 
importance, above all doctrines of State rights. Those men 
who that night rallied on the line with the heroic Porter and 
gallant Berdan deserve to go down to history as heroes, the 
example of which it would have been well for several well- 
known generals to have followed. I have written ' heroic 
Porter ' with a vivid understanding of the meaning of the 
term. I care nothing for the verdict of a packed court-mar- 
tial to create a scapegoat that the tottering fortunes of others 
might be propped up thereby. As an interested participant 
in that bloody seven-days' fray, I write ' heroic ' above the 
names of Porter, Berdan, and that rallying band of warriors 
who formed their lines in the face of an humiliating defeat ; 
that long, straggling line that sent up cheer upon cheer, and 
stayed with palsied fear the onward course of that rebel 
horde, who believed that that little band were re-enforcements 
from over the river ; and when, shortly, after the famous 
Irish brigade combined with French's sailed into their midst 
with dashing charge, they were confirmed in that opinion, 
and fell back with discretion to bivouac for the night, while 
Porter with all his re-enforcements pulled himself together, 
and crossed over the Chickahominy, after which the bridges 
were destroyed. 



FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARIUSON'S LANDING. 67 

'■ The rebels in Riclimond were jubilant that niglit, but 
there was a particle of alloy mixed with their exhilaration. 
The pulverizing process was not quite so thorough as they 
had hoped or anticipated. Their loss had been terrible, if 
we can believe their own accounts. Again, they expected 
that McClellan would pull up stakes, re-cross the river, and 
strike a bee-line for Fortress ^Monroe ; but his movements 
did not point in that direction, and they were a little puzzled 
over their programme for the future. 

" On our side of the river we were not idle that day. The 
rebs on our front were uneasy, and given to getting up 
demonstrations. They did not care to fight ; but it would 
have been better for us, had we forced them into one on a 
grand scale. Tlieir apparent uneasiness had its desired effect ; 
for our generals were anxious to retain their men, and leave 
Porter to go it alone, and that was what Lee was playing for. 

" In the forenoon of the 27th, we -were ordered down to 
Savage Station ; what for, is more than I was able to fathom, 
as we did nothing except stand around, and try to steal 
something ; but the guard was too much for us in that line. 
The army stores at White-House Landing were being trans- 
ported by rail to Savage Station ; and there were heaps and 
stacks of grub and ammunition there, — yes, and whiskey by 
the cask, and the boys tried all manner of strategy in order 
to get a seductive nip. 

" The red tape of war is something wonderful to behold. 
A pile of eatables larger than a dozen Virginia court-houses 
was stacked up, and finally consumed by the devouiing fire, 
while a guard presided over it ; and hungry soldiers with 
empty haversacks, and bellies to match, trudged, fought, bled, 
died, during those weary days and gloomy nights, suffering 
the tortures of the damned in heroic endeavor to uphold the 
integrity of the Federal Government. 

"• We are again ordered back to camp from tlie station, and 
spend the rest of the day in packing up for a move in the 
early morning. We hear the sullen roar of battle upon the 



68 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

right ; and anxiety is depicted upon the countenances of all, 
as the rumors fly through the camp that Porter is in a criti- 
cal position. The movement of army supplies to our side of 
the river, and the sudden stoppage of the same, tell us that 
a storm is brewing, and that a forced move of the army may 
become a necessity. 

" The morning of the 28th of June finds us on the move in 
the direction of the White-Oak Swamp, to cover the retreat 
of the army. At noon we have crossed the bridge over the 
stream that flows through the swamp, and takes its name 
therefrom, and have taken a position upon the higher lands 
be3'ond. Here we hold our position until relieved by 
ISlocum's division, when we again move on to new scenes of 
action." 

The 30th of June marched two miles, and encamped near 
Turkey-Island Bend. July 1, 1862, we marched about one 
mile to the woods near Malvern Hill, and went on picket. 
On the 2d marched nine miles, and encamped near Harrison's 
Landing. The 3d marched out on the front lines about three 
miles, and encamped. The casualties of the Seventh Massa- 
chusetts in this movement were very small, but this was 
none of their choosing; and only the lucky chances of war 
saved them from the mortality usually attending so danger- 
ous a movement. 

While Couch's division, of which his old brigade was an 
integral part, was earning imperishable renown, and by great 
good fortune as a part of that brigade the Tenth Massachu- 
setts, and that gallant and efQcient regiment, the Thirty- 
sixth New York, were winning honors never to fade as long 
as history lasts, the Seventh Massachusetts and Second 
Rhode Island, a part of the same brigade, were ordered to a 
certain part of the field, which the general commanding was 
in fear would be forced, and told to hold it at all hazards. 
But by the fortunes of war these regiments were not called 
upon to make the heroic sacrifices which the Tenth and 
Thirty-sixth were so nobly making on the heights of Malvern. 



FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 69 

Gen. Couch, in his eloquent address delivered at the re- 
union of his old brigade at Oakland Garden in the summer 
of 1884, in speaking of the work of his old command at 
jNlalvern, said, — 

" While the Tenth and Thirty-sixth were earning immor- 
tal renown on the heights, where were you of the Second 
Rhode Island and Seventh Massachusetts? Early in the 
day I received an order to detach two of my most efficient 
regiments to hold a certain point in our line of battle, upon 
which was expected an overwhelming attack of the enemy. 
And who could I send to their deaths better than the Seventh 
INIassachusetts and the Second Rhode Island? and only by 
the fickle chances of war were you saved from a glorious 
death or heroic sacrifice." 

In the " Woonsocket Patriot " of July 2, was the follow- 
ing letter from Sergeant Walter S. Goss, and which I take 
pleasure in presenting to my readers : — 

" Harrison's Landing was the centre of gravitation for the 
Array of the Potomac. We had found a lodgement in what 
had been, the year before, a field of corn ; but mud is now the 
chief product of that soil. Around us in every direction, so 
far as the eye could view, were garnered wheat-sheaves in 
shocks or stooks. But I was not thinking of wheat-straw 
just at that time, but on coffee was intent. I had taken a 
look at the river, and that was running yellow with mud ; 
the puddles were severely afflicted with earthy matter ; but 
near was a grass-plat, over which mules had travelled and 
left the impression of their cloven hoofs. I followed their 
footsteps, and dipped water and hayseed from their tracks, a 
spoonful at a time, until a full ration was gathered. Then I 
went at the wet corn stubble, and tried to coax a blaze out 
of them ; and while I was wiping my weeping eyes, I caught 
a glimpse of travelling wheat-bundles, and for fear of being 
left out in the wet mud over night, I forsook all, and struck 
out on a brisk walk for my share of straw. 

" The whole army appeared to be after straw, and to have 



70 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

got the start of me, as the wheat-shocks became disrupted 
and travelled away faster than I could walk : so 1 quickened 
my pace to a lively run. But it was like chasing a mirage ; 
when I got where the straw was, it wasn't there. I had to 
give up the chase. It was the most curious sight I ever saw ; 
the stooks disappeared like magic, and they resolved them- 
selves into a tangled mass of moving sheaves of straw. My 
mind reverted to the moving green of ' great Birnam wood 
to high Dunsinane hill.' But I got a bundle of straw ; for 
my tent-mate Tom, who rushed with the first crowd, had 
such a game of scrabbling and dodging from one shock to 
another before securing the coveted prize, he concluded to 
gobble two sheaves, and wait for my coming ; and I found 
him sitting on them, patiently waiting. 

"During the evening Hill, the champion coffee-kicker, who 
was among the missing, turned up ; and he had a doleful 
story to tell. It appeared that he crawled off into the bushes 
for an undisturbed night's sleep, and when we came away he 
was not found to be awakened, so he slept ' like a warrior 
taking his rest,' until the ponderous rain-drops baptized him 
into a fresh morning start ; then he shook himself like a big 
dog, rubbed his eyes with amazed stupidity, turned around a 
few times to add to his confusion, then started to look up his 
regiment. He had not proceeded far before he was con- 
fronted by a challenge to halt, from the rebel picket-line. 
He politely invited them to go to a region notorious for its 
theological torridity, and about-faced, leaving tracks with his 
heels toward the enemy, while a shower of bullets whistled 
harmless about his ears. The rebel cavalry followed him up, 
when he took to the woods, running and stumbling for miles, 
and struck our picket-lines, when he was ordered to halt, and 
was again fired upon because he told them to join the rebs 
he had consigned to Hades. 

" He was taken a prisoner, and passed along to his regi- 
ment to be identified. In telling his adventure, he remarked 
that he would never try that exploit over again, as it was 



FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 71 

the hardest job he ever did. Hill was one of the best sol- 
diers ill the army ; he knew no fear, and was always anxious 
to charge, knowing that his heavy weight would carry him 
through, while his dimensions made a good target for bullets. 
Fifty thousand men like Hill, with his charging proclivities, 
would have proved a terror to any enemy. But the valiant 
Hill, with many another good man, went down in death in 
the blind and bloody tangles of the Wilderness. 

" In the morning we moved out again to get our new lines 
of defence. A little incident illustrates the ease with which 
troops assume to be veterans. While moving out, we halted 
opposite a Pennsylvania regiment, of high numbers, who were 
marching in. They wore their blankets in rolls swung over 
their shoulders, while we had hung to our knapsacks, think- 
ing them much better than rolls. Members of the Penn- 
sylvania battalion asked what regiment we were, and were 
answered, ' A Down East regiment, by golly.' — 'Just out, are 
you ? ' — ' Yes,' was the reply. ' Well, I thought so : you 
won't carry them knapsacks when you have been out here as 
long as we have.' Some one asked the State and number of 
our regiment, and, when told, turned to the spokesman of his 
l)arty, and said, ' Shut up, you fool : that regiment was out 
here before you thought of enlisting, they were the ones that 
passed through Baltimore.' He was mistaken. We passed 
through that city, but Gen. B. F. Butler was there at the 
time: it was the Sixth militia the men had mixed up with us. 

" Our company was pushed out well at the front again ; and 
then the colonel was not satisfied, as there was a long gap in 
the picket-line, and he wanted three good men placed out as 
a post of observation, and the lot fell upon the three men on 
the left of the company ; that meant Sergeant Brightman, 
another man, and myself. We took orders from the colonel, 
and went to our duty. We pulled through the woods, and 
came to a high fence, beyond which was a rod-wide streak of 
scrubby oaks, and then an open field a quarter of a mile long, 
in the centre of which was a house with outbuildings. On 



72 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

our right, at the extreme end of the field, was a line of Con- 
federate cavalry, while confronting them on our left were our 
horsemen : they were watching one another's movements. 

" Brightman instructed me to skirt along the fence at the 
right, and find our pickets, while the other man went to 
the left on a like errand. 

" I followed along the fence cautiously, listening for friend 
or foe : as Russell had told us to be careful, as the woods were 
full of rebs. I heard men talking at last, and crept over the 
fence, and crawled up until I saw that they wore the blue, 
when I confronted them with the query, ' What regiment do 
you belong to?' They all three grasped their guns, and 
came to an aim, and demanded my business, which I ex- 
plained so they were satisfied. They told me they belonged 
to the Forty-ninth New- York Infantry. On my way back I 
started up an old sow with a litter of little pigs, and one of 
those little fellows appeared to be just the size to ' fill a long- 
felt want ' that raged within : so, heedless of all things else, 
I gave chase to infantile pork. 

" Well, we rushed like a whirlwind, through the bushes, 
until I saw Brightman — who had ' clomb ' the fence, and 
come to the front — fleeing before our charge like a startled 
pig, as he leaped the fence like a frightened deer, and then 
he about-faced, and pointed his shooting-iron square at me ; 
then I yelled for him to stop it. We came to a mutual under- 
standing ; but the pork had slipped my greedy grasp, and its 
economic scarcity value had gone up a peg. Brightman 
declared, when I asked him what made him run so, that we 
made such a noise rushing through the bushes, that the rebel 
cavalry, he thought, were charging down upon him, but he 
didn't intend to investigate until he was safely over the 
fence. 

"We established our post, and watched the horsemen on 
either side of our front. I was very anxious to see a cavalry 
charge right on that field in front ; but there appeared to 
be no fight in either crowd, and they did not deem it expe- 



FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 73 

dient to give an exhibition of their valor to appease the 
morbid curiosity of us lonely footmen. In an hour or so the 
rebs quietly withdrew within the shadow of the woods, and 
shortly after our men retired beneath the cooling shade of the 
adjoining foliage. Then Col. Russell boldly took the road, 
and rode across towards the opposite woodland ; but he soon 
came cantering back with two rebel horsemen trailing at 
his rear. They showed no disposition to shoot at him, 
although they were within pistol-shot of him ; and the brave 
officer appeared to be in no hurry, as he was simply trying 
to draw them in, and they to capture him. They came near 
enough our post to make an easy shot for us ; but Russell 
made no motion to indicate any such a desire, and we were 
too well trained to interfere with the business ; but the 
pickets away down on the left opened upon them, so they 
relinquished their chase, turned tail, and got. Then Russell 
was mad. He drew his sword, and rode down to that picket 
front ; and, judging by his motions, he poured out the vials 
of his choice pulpit invectives upon them for their well- 
meant simplicity. 

" I was left alone by the other men of the post, and a 
cannonading at the rear of me made me nervously inclined. 
The colonel came up to visit me, to see what was going on at 
the front ; and I saluted him with the question, ' What does 
all this shooting at the rear mean ? Have the rebs got 
there ? ' Laconically he answered, ' Fourth of July dam- 
phools.' I hadn't thought of it. The glorious day of inde- 
pendence might have passed by unremerabered by me, had 
the patriots at the rear been satisfied with the gunpowder 
explosions of the past few days. But they were not. There 
is an intensely patriotic streak in the average Northerner ; and 
it runs to noise, from the small boy with his toy pistol up to 
the grown-up old boy with his booming cannon. We heard, 
nor heard of, no noise from the other side ; for they saved 
their powder to prop up an institution dearer to them than 
any Fourth of July. In spite of her Washington, Jefferson, 



74 SEV£^*TH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER IN'FA>"TRY. 

Patrick Henry, and her old-time Lees. Virginia was wor- 
shipping at the shrine of a traitor to whom the shibboleth 
of liberty was a continual menace to the fabric of his would- 
be government. 

" During the day Gen. Couch came up to the post to get an 
observation. I was standing at the edge of the bush when he 
came up ; and he pulled me in, and told me to be careful and 
not show myself, or I would get shot. I thought differently, 
and pointed out a man at the house in front, who appeared 
to have on a red shirt without a coat : he was running about 
like one possessed of seventeen devils, but was so far away 
that I couldn't make out what he was up to. only by a rough 
estimate. • Well, who is he ? ' said the general. • One of our 
cavalry, I think, as there is a squadron of them over in that 
wood on the left.' — ' Well, what takes him there ? ' — ' His 
appetite, I reckon.' was my reply, as I began to think that my 
appetite would take me ten miles if there was only a square 
meal at the end of it. ' What do you mean by that ? ' asked 
Couch. And I told him that it looked to me as though the 
man were racing after pigs or poultry on an empty stomach. 

•• The gallant general brought the focus of his field-glass 
to bear upon him. uttered an emphatic • Humph ! " and walked 
away. Xow, what made me discover, with unaided ^dsion, 
what the general could not see through without the aid of 
his field-glass ? Simply this : Observation had taught me 
that no soldier ever exercised himself so vigorously, of his 
own volition, as that man was doing, unless there was some- 
thing to eat in the concluding exercises." 

July 12 the writer of this History joined his regiment, in 
company with some ten or twelve others who had been sick 
in hospitals at Washington. I found the boys encamped on 
the outer line, worn out with marching, and ragged and dirty 
from their terrible labors for the past two months. I was 
welcomed back most cordially by Capt. Reed, Lieuts. May- 
hew and Gurney, and all the boys : but I never, to this day, 
really knew whether or not it was for the reason that picket 



FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISONS LANDING. (5 

and guard duty would come a little easier; 'twould be 
hard to say. I am sure, however, that the razor I brought 
with me did much to smooth my reception ; for it was in 
constant demand for a week, by which time the boys had 
cleaned up, and recovered their old-time elasticity of spirits, 
which had been considerably lowered by the terrible strain 
of the last week of battles. 

I made my home with some Scituate boys, — Charles, 
Hosea D., Nott, and Joseph O. Marsh, — good boys, every 
one of them, whole-hearted and true. The tent was pitched 
over four crotched sticks, two at each end, with long ones 
running lengthwise, and resting on the short ones at head and 
foot. At this time of the year, at that particular place in 
Old Virginia, a bed raised from off the ground was very 
essential to comfort, as we were subjected to very severe 
thunder-storms, the water from the skies coming not only in 
drops, but in sheets ; and soon every thing was afloat. The 
gulches became roaring torrents, which had only to be dis- 
turbed to become a rushing stream of mud. 

The weather was intensely hot, and good drinking-water 
scarce, unless we went to the river-springs, or outside the 
lines about a mile and a half, or three miles to the river. 
The surface-water which collected upon the sub-stratum of 
marl was very fatal to the men who were too feeble to go to 
the springs, and were obliged to drink this "lime-water," 
thus laying the foundation for chronic diarrhcpa, from which 
many never recovered. Corp. Benjamin F. Hutchinson con- 
tracted the disease here, and died in Craney- Island Hospital 
off Norfolk, Va. I may also mention Frederick Cook of 
Company K, who was taken ill with the disease at this 
camp, and died while we were encamped at Downsville, 
Md. ; also, Richardson of Company I, who died in hospital 
at Washinfrton. 



CHAPTER X. 

LETTER BY CAPT, REED. 

n| PAVING received a very interesting narrative from Capt. 
-^ — L George Reed, formerly commander of Company K, of 
the regiment's participation in the Seven Days' Fight, and 
of his own company's part in that engagement, which was 
published in "The Abington Standard" at Abington, Mass., 
Sept. 6, 1862, I take the liberty of inserting it as a part of 
this history : — 

" On Wednesday, June 25, early in the morning, a smart 
firing commenced on our right from Hooker's pickets. It 
soon increased ; and in a little while the heavy boom of can- 
non broke upon our ears, which showed it was something 
more serious than mere picket skirmishing. I had hardly 
reached camp when I received orders to have my company 
in readiness to march at a moment's notice. Cartridges were 
issued, haversacks filled, canteens replenished, and shortly 
the order came to " Fall in ; " and in a very few moments the 
Seventh were marching with full ranks in the direction of 
the firing. We proceeded to the front of our lines, stacked 
arms, and waited some three hours, while the firing sensibly 
slackened. 

" Gens. Couch, Kearny, Hooker, Keyes, Palmer, Grover, 
and others were in consultation on our left, and our brigade 
finally received orders to advance. We proceeded at the 
double-quick some two miles, and were posted in front of 
De Russy's battery as a support. The batteries were firing 
shell very rapidly ; and we had been in position but a few 



LETTER BY CAPT. KEED. 77 

moments when the casing of one of the shells hit Lieut. 
Bullock of Fall River on the left hip, cutting his sword in 
two, and inflicting an awful and mortal wound. We then 
moved about a hundred 5'ards to the right, and were ordered 
to advance, which we did, passing over dead horses, broken 
gun-carriages, and cut-up roads, to the extreme front of the 
line. We were posted across an open field, some eight hun- 
dred yards from thick woods where the rebels were stationed, 
with the right and left of our regiment under cover of a 
swamp. 

"My company being in the centre of the regiment, we 
were in a very exposed position, and soon were made aware 
of the presence of sharpshooters by the whistling of bullets 
in very uncomfortable proximity to our ears. Major Harlow 
was selected by them as a mark ; but though they shot all 
around him, they did not succeed in hitting him. We were 
ordered to lie down when we took our position, and this 
made it extremely difficult to hit us. But one rebel in a 
large oak fired very accurately, and, selecting Capt. Bliss of 
Company F as his mark, sent a ball crashing through the 
brain of John White, who was lying by the captain's side. 
The rebel did not exult long in his deed, as one of our 
skirmishers, who had been watching for him, shot him as he 
exposed himself to fire ; and he came rushing down into the 
fork of the tree ere the report of his riile had ceased to echo 
in the surrounding woods. 

" At this time word was passed down the line for our men 
to lie close as possible, as the rebels were moving artillery 
to the front. In a few minutes they opened upon us with a 
sharp fire of shell, which was exceedingly well directed, and 
in good range, the shell bursting over in front and in rear 
of us ; and it seemed as if half of the regiment would be 
disabled ; but, singular to relate, not a man of our regiment 
was injured, while the Second Rhode Island, which lay right 
in our rear, lost a good many. They then commenced a 
terrible fire of grape and canister, which swept over us in 



78 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

a fearful manner some fifteen minutes, cutting shrubs as clean 
as with a scythe, and striking all around us without injuring 
a man. At dusk their firing ceased, and their artillery lim- 
bered up and retired. We seized the opportunity given us 
in the darkness to eat a few hard bread (or, as the men say, 
reduce a few squares), as we had eaten nothing since morn- 
ing, and were getting faint and exhausted from our uncom- 
fortable position. 

" The enemy had been driven about a mile, and we were 
an advance picket with orders to hold the position. As the 
evening advanced, it became evident that we should have 
great odds to encounter, as we could hear regiment after regi- 
ment march up in front of us ; hear the word of command 
of the officers to halt, right dress, order arms, and even heard 
old Magruder order one Capt. Nolen to have their dead near 
the old oak-tree removed for burial, our skirmishers having 
piled them up there to some purpose. 

"About nine in the evening, Adjt. Packard came along 
the line with orders from the colonel to have the men in 
readiness to move in good order, and in perfect silence, a 
short distance to the rear. The men were formed in line, 
faced by the rear rank, and were moving silently away, when 
Company C got into some disorder, and the colonel halted 
the line. Some of Company K halted before I heard the 
order, while the rest of the company were some two rods in 
advance. I had just gone to the left to move them up inio 
line, when a most severe and galling fire of musketry was 
opened within two hundred yards of our line from, I should 
think, a whole brigade. The suddenness of the attack, and 
the men being out of their accustomed places, threw them 
into some confusion ; and some of the men who were in the 
advance faced about and fired right into our faces. The 
Second Rhode Island upon our right also commenced firing, 
without waiting to see whether they were firing upon friend 
or foe. Company K was in the centre of this converging 
fire ; and never before was it my fortune to stand where the 



LETTER BY CAl'T. REED. 79 

bullets flew so thick and fast as they did for some ten min- 
utes on this eventful night. The night was very dark ; and 
nothing could look so pretty, and at the same time so fearful, 
as the sheet of fire which blazed from the unseen foe in our 
front. Company K soon got into order, and returned the fire 
with interest ; and nothing was heard for a time but the 
short, sharp commands of the officers, and the rapid crack 
of the rifles of the combatants. 

"In the height of the fire, Private Augustine Fullerton — 
a braver and a better soldier I have not got in my company 
— came up to me, and said, ' Captain, I am shot badly.' — 
' Where ? ' I asked him. ' Right through here,' he said, 
placing his hand upon his right breast ; and the poor boy's 
voice quivered with emotion as he thought of his home and 
friends. I sent him to the rear in charge of Private J. E. 
Josselyn ; and he had hardly started, when Private Sylvester 
Edmund of Scituate came up with, ' Captain, they have hit 
me right here in the shoulder.' I sent him to the rear also. 
These two, withP rivate T. H. Cook who had accidentally 
shot himself in the foot in the afternoon, were all the casu- 
alties I had in my company. 

" In a shor^ time we had the satisfaction of finding the 
fire of the enemy slackening, and soon it had ceased. Our 
men were then ordered to go to work digging rifle-pits ; and 
thougli weak and exhausted, they set to work with a right 
good will, and in the hardest digging ever seen. They had 
worked about three hours when another fierce attack was 
made by the rebels ; but the men laid down their shovels, 
grasped their rifles without the slightest confusion, and 
poured a steady and well-directed fire into the flash of the 
enemy's rifles till they retired. The men then fell to work 
again, and labored until about three o'clock a.m. ; the colonel 
moving along the lines, and encouraging the troops, exhort- 
ing them, telling them their salvation depended upon their 
labors. 

" We were indeed in a fearful position, having bei-n 



80 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

ordered to hold it at all hazards, — and Col. Russell was not 
the man to draw back without an order, — while the rebels 
could bring heavy odds against us. The Rhode-Island regi- 
ment had been withdrawn ; and the New- York regiment on 
our left was completely demoralized, their colonel being 
intemperate, their lieutenant-colonel being too timid to take 
command, and most of their officers having left, together 
with several hundred of the men. We had certainly a 
brigade to contend with, and probably a larger force was 
being concentrated on the rebel side. Daylight was looked 
for with deep anxiety ; but we had determined to give a good 
account of the Seventh, and defend our position to the last. 
Just before daylight we had an order to fall back to the 
rifle-pits, a little more than a mile in our rear; and the men 
were quietly withdrawn. 

" In the whole affair the bearing of Company K was very 
gratifying to me ; and I think it was owing to the coolness 
and example of Lieuts. Mayhew and Gurney, who rendered 
me valuable assistance, as indeed they have on all occasions 
when we have been called upon to encounter the enemy. 

" We now took our position in Casey's rifle-pits, and 
remained there until noon, or very near that time, when 
we returned to camp, and ate for the first time that day. 
It had been an exceedingly hard spell for us, as my company 
had been on picket-duty the night previous, so we had no 
sleep for two nights, with scarcely a mouthful to eat for over 
twenty-four hours, and at work all night — the second night 
— after a very fatiguing march during the day. We had 
hardly reached camp when a tremendous cannonading broke 
out on our extreme right, and continued without intermis- 
sion until nine in the evening. We were ordered to be 
ready to march at any moment, but were not ordered out 
during the afternoon. 

" The next morning, Friday, the cannonading was resumed 
with great fury, and soon we had orders to fall in and march ; 
but, instead of moving to the right, we marched to the rear. 



LETTER BY CAPT. REED. 81 

past Savage Station, nearly to the Chickalioniinv, and then 
set our faces towards the James River. We rested after a 
very long and fatiguing inarch, 'mid the dust and heat of 
a sultry day, through the camp of Peck's division on the 
extreme left of our line. 

" In the morning we were routed out at four, and ordered 
to fall in as soon as we had made our coffee ; but before the 
order could be carried out, Company K was detailed for 
dut}', and had to leave without breakfast. We were marched 
to White-Oak-Swamp Creek, and went to work to repair the 
road, and build a bridge across the creek. The men having 
had no breakfast, and nearly beaten out by the duties of the 
last few days, were employed some two hours in carrying 
huge logs and laying them across the stream. 

" When our regiment came up, we were ordered to fall in, 
and proceeded on our march. We were now on a new route 
in the enemy's country, and leading the advance, a position 
which, while one of honor, is by uo means one of ease. We 
marched a few miles, halted, and learned we were to remain 
there twenty-four hours as pickets. Our line was formed in 
an open piece of woods with a large field of wheat in our 
front. We stacked arms, masked them with green boughs, 
posted sentries, and lay down to obtain some rest. We 
could have no fires near the front, and the men who wanted 
coffee had to proceed some distance to the rear to make it. 
A battery of six-pound guns was placed at the fence between 
the wood and the wheat-field, and masked so that the most 
acute scout could not have told, at a distance of a hundred 
yards, whether it was any thing but underbrush. We had 
to be on the watch all night for fear of an attack, but the 
day dawned without any thing of moment occurring. 

"The forenot)n passed off very quietly, the men employing 
the time, as a general thing, in trying to sleep. Just after 
one P.M., I was lying near our stack of arms, almost asleep, 
when I was suddenly aroused by the tramp of horses and 
the yell of rebel cavalry right in our lines. Our men were 



82 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

lying in all shapes, without their equipments ; but in an 
incredibly short time we were in line, and eager for the 
fight. 

" It was a surprise to us, as they had driven in our cavalry 
scouts, and came in so mixed up with them, that our sentries 
dared not fire for fear of killing our own men. The rebs 
rushed up to the wood, and wheeled into line ; but before 
they formed, we poured such a fire into them that they 
broke in confusion, with the loss of their major commanding, 
two captains, and nine men killed, and some twenty-five 
prisoners. As they were skedaddling down the road, our 
battery opened on them, overturning horses and men to their 
evident consternation. They supposed they were attacking 
a small cavalry picket, and, with their five companies of 
cavalry, rushed confidently on to a regiment of Massachu- 
setts infantry. We took sabres of the United-States pattern, 
stolen by Floyd, Sharp's carbine rifles, double-barrelled guns, 
and some valuable horses. Indeed, their major, though mor- 
tally wounded, thought more about his horse than any thing 
else ; for he said he had paid two hundred dollars for him 
only a few days before. 

" In the afternoon we were relieved by the Sixth Maine, 
and received orders to cross White-Oak Swamp in advance, 
and in the night. This was regarded as rather tough, as 
we had no sleep the night previous, to speak of, had been 
exposed to a heavy rain, and had not got our blankets dry, 
which made knapsacks hang rather heavy. We had been 
on short allowance of food ; had scarcely any chance to 
make coffee, — that sheet-anchor of the soldier, — and were 
nearly worn out by fatigue and exposure. 

" Speaking of food, the officers are sometimes placed in 
very unpleasant circumstances with regard to rations. Not 
drawing any thing from Government, and the brigade com- 
missary being miles in the rear, on protracted marches they 
frequently find themselves blessed with a good appetite, and 
nothing to eat. As this only happens when the men are 



LETTER BY CAPT. REED. 83 

nearl}^ out, it becomes a grave question of ways and means 
as to the manner of supplying our internal economy. Lieut. 
Gurney and myself started on this march with half a hard- 
bread between us, and with no knowledge as to how or when 
we should obtain more. However, orders must be obeyed, 
and we started in good spirits for our long and dangerous 
march. 

" We reached the edge of the swamp at dark, when every 
man had orders to cap his piece, carry it at the shoulder, 
not to fire without orders, not to light a match, or suffer his 
dipper to rattle, to preserve the most perfect silence, and to 
keep closed up at all hazards. We then plunged into the 
recesses of the swamp, and so dark was it that I could not 
see the man before me, although my hand was on his knap- 
sack. For eight long hours we were in this horrible hole ; 
wading streams, stumbling over fallen trees, halting when- 
ever we approached a more than ordinarily dangerous place, 
until the ground had been felt over before the main body of 
the regiment proceeded on their way. Durign one of these 
halts, I fell asleep standing at the head of my company, and 
did not wake until the leading file nearly stumbled over me. 
We had a battery with us of six rifled guns, two Parrotts, 
two three-inch rifled, and two brass twelve-pounders. Once 
we were halted, and the artillery ordered to the front. I 
concluded we were in for it; but at three A.M. we reached 
the James River, and the welcome words, ' Break ranks,' 
greeted our ears. At five a.m. we were aroused, and with- 
out any breakfast, put in motion over an exceedingly dusty 
road at a very quick pace ; and some of the men grumbled, 
as they had no supper the night before. 

'* Think of it, you who live at home and think the soldier 
is more than paid for his services. Think of those who have 
endured such privations and hardships amid the swamps of 
the Old Dominion ; and if any poor fellow gets his discharge 
from the service, do not pursue him with imputations of 
cowardice until you have been through a tithe of what he 



84 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

has. You can have no idea of what is sacrificed and endured 
by the volunteer who has left home and friends to fight his 
and your enemy, and restore the stars and stripes to their 
old position as the flag of a united and happy people. 

" But to return. We were marched two or three miles, 
halted, and waited two hours in the hot sun for further 
orders. We then marched into a large wheat-field where 
the golden grain had just been harvested, and lay in huge 
stacks for acres and acres. Cherry-trees loaded with their 
tempting fruit were scattered around ; and an orchard of 
apple-trees, with apples nearly ripe, was discovered by our 
boys. After we had stacked arms and been dismissed, away 
rushed the men, some for water, some for the fruit, some for 
straw, and some soon spied a field of potatoes, which were 
uprooted ; and for a little while we revelled in all the luxu- 
ries of the season. Six hours after our entrance, there was a 
contrast in the appearance of the place to what it was when 
we arrived. The whole of Porter's division had entered the 
same field, and between their boys and ours every thing was 
stripped. The huge stacks of wheat had disappeared, fruit- 
trees were despoiled, the potatoes were all dug, and the men 
were sighing for new fields to conquer. 

" In the afternoon the enemy attacked our left, and soon a 
furious cannonading was in progress. The ' Galena ' and 
' Monitor' were lying within a half-mile of us; and in a few 
minutes after the firing commenced, a signal-officer mounted 
the chimney of a large house in the field where we lay, and 
signalled to the boats. A thundering roar soon announced 
that the terrible gunboats had opened upon the rebel hordes. 
Their 155-pound shell flew with an unearthl}^ scream over 
our heads; and we could hear them burst some two miles to 
the front, to the great terror of the rebels, and the corre- 
sponding joy of our forces. We were not ordered out that 
afternoon, but lay there watching the ceaseless stream of bag- 
gage-wagons and troops which continued to pour in till far 
into the night. The battle had ceased at dark ; but once in 



LETTER BY CAPT. REED. 85 

a while the deep roar of a gun was heard, with an occasional 
report from a musket or rifle. Finally all was hushed save 
the continuous rattle of our baggage-train. 

" Tuesday morning all was quiet until ten o'clock, when 
the ball again opened. We were soon" called into line, and 
after standing a half-hour stacked arms, and were dismissed 
with orders to commanders of companies to keep their men 
ready for a call. In about an hour it came, and we moved 
once more for the field of battle. Choked with dust, the 
perspiration streaming down their faces, the men soon pre- 
sented an uncouth and strange appearance ; but they toiled 
on, lightening their way with jokes and sarcasms upon the 
appearance of the various regiments, or such general officers 
as they passed. We met the wounded by scores ; some in 
ambulances, some on stretchers, and some on foot wending 
their way to the rear. 

" When we reached the battle-field, a grand spectacle was 
spread out before us. Imagine a high ridge of land where 
we stood, falling off gradually to a stream of water some half- 
mile to the front, then rising as gradually on the other side 
of the stream to a thick wood where the rebels were posted. 
The length of this opening was three miles, and its width one 
mile. In this amphitheatre, line after line of our batteries 
could be seen with their supports of infantry extending for 
miles. Some two hundred pieces of artillery were thus dis- 
posed in various commanding positions from right to left, as 
far as the eye could discern. 

''We entered upon the left centre, halted, formed line, and 
stacked arms, and the men given a chance to rest. While 
we were watching the scene, a puff of smoke, followed by 
the screaming of a shell, from the edge of the wood opposite, 
showed that the rebels were commencing fire again. In a 
few moments battery after battery on our side opened in 
reply, and the air was filled with shells, hissing and scream- 
ing ; some bursting in mid-air, others falling among the dense 
masses of the enemy before they exploded, and still others 



86 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

plunging far over the wood, scattering their shower of frag- 
ments harmlessly around. In the midst of this terrific tire, 
an aid rode up to Col. Russell with, ' Is this the Massa- 
chusetts Seventh?" — 'Yes,' said the colonel. 'You are 
ordered to report to Gen. Hancock on extreme right, as the 
enemy are concentrating troops there, and he must hold his 
position.' — ' Fall in,' was the word ; and we were again on 
the march, traversing the field of battle from left to right, 
through woods and wheat-fields and over creeks, till at dark 
we reached our position. Two companies were detailed for 
picket-duty, when there was found to be a misunderstanding 
of the line by the regiment posted on our left, and on the 
line being re-organized by Major Harlow of the Seventh,- it 
threw my company out ; and we returned to the regiment, 
getting lost in the thick woods, and floundering around in the 
dark for an hour before we found it. The men had permis- 
sion to lie down with equipments on, ready to start at a 
moment's notice. 

" In the middle of the night we were aroused : and I was 
ordered to have my company fall in silently and rapidly, and 
to move forward when the left of the regiment started. The 
first sound that struck my ear was the rumble of artillery in 
every du'ection, mingled with the roll of baggage-wagons, 
and the indescribable sound produced by the tread of many 
thousand men. I knew at once some very important move- 
ment was in progress. The men were soon in line, and we 
commenced our march : but it was difficult to move the regi- 
ment in a thick wood, with a dark night and no path, and it 
required all our attention not to get strayed from the main 
body. After groping among roots, brambles, and fallen trees, 
slipping into holes, and falling over prostrate timber, we 
emerged from the pathless wood, upon the main road, and 
joined the living stream that was flowing to the rear. Innu- 
merable baggage-wagons mixed up with the arlillery blocked 
the road for miles ; while regiment after regiment passed, 
some at double-quick, others at rout-step. 



LETTER BY CAPT. REED. 87 

" While we were halted, awaiting orders, the colonel had 
the quartermaster issue what rations he had on hand. Six 
hard-bread were given to each man, with the caution to be 
saving of them, as there was no knowing when we could 
obtain any more. After waiting for an hour, we received our 
orders. The colonel sent for the officers, and said our regi- 
ment had been detailed as the extreme rear-guard ; that it 
was a position of great danger and responsibility, and he 
relied on their efforts to encourage the men, and hold the 
enemy in check ; that they had better communicate the fact 
to the men, so that they could act understandingly. This 
was done ; our pieces were loaded, and officers and men 
resigned themselves to the almost certain fact of death or a 
prison, which seemed inevitable under the circumstances. 

" Thus we remained for an hour or more, watching the dif- 
ferent regiments as they filed past, and commenting on the 
terrified appearance of the great majority of the wagoners, 
as with oaths and execrations, and frantic lashing of the 
mules, they urged their heavily loaded teams over the muddy 
road. They had been passing for eight hours when our men 
were ordered to fall in ; and we proceeded at the double-quick 
over a road where deep mud was the best travelling, crowding 
by the enormous number of wagons that filled the way, until 
half of the men fell behind from sheer exhaustion. We at 
length reached our designated position, and formed in divis- 
ions on a large hill near the James River, covered with splen- 
did wheat all ready for the harvest. We remained an hour 
or more at this place ; but the rebels not appearing, the word 
was again ' Forward.' The men wallowed through the wheat, 
— or what was the wheat-field, for after the passage of an 
army over such a place it would take a shrewd man to guess 
or determine what green thing had ever grown there, — and 
rushed with their dippers to dip up the mingled clay and 
rain-water which ran down the gullies, and quench their 
raging thirst. I drank it repeatedly ; and never water tasted 
sweeter, though it was liquid mud. After an exhausting 



08 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

march we reached James River at noon on Wednesday, July 
2, 1862, makhig eight days of hardship, exposure, and fatigue, 
that will challenge comparison with any campaign of this 
most unhappy war. The men were thoroughly worn out. 
It had been the battle, march, and picket, for eight days, with 
scarcely any food, insufficient water, no rest, and harassed in 
mind and body. Friends were missing on every side, no one 
knowing whether they were numbered with the slain or held 
as prisoners by the enemy. Gloom and depression pervaded 
every countenance as we formed our line and stacked arms 
in a magnificent wheat-field on the bank of the river, and 
then came the welcome order to '■ break ranks.' The field, 
soaked by the heavy rain, trodden by thousands of men and 
animals, and cut up by the artiller}^ and wagons, was a deep 
bed of mud ; but officers and men spread their blankets, and 
were soon wrapped in slumber, dreaming of their own happy 
firesides, the war and its attendant horrors forgotten." 




JAMl.S r. C.Al l.Alilll'R. 
I'livalr Co. '■('■." 



CHAPTER XI. 

OPERATIONS AT HAKKISON'S LANDING, — MOVEMENT TO FAIBFAX COURT- 
HOUSE, — RETREAT DOWN THE PENINSULA, — MARCH TO ANTIETAM, 

'T^^HE regiment made a reconnoissance to Turkey-Island 
-•- Bend, Aug. 5, 1862. After marching all night, or at 
least moving a short distance at a time, the general found 
himself lost ; and we returned to camp, a tired and disgusted 
set of men. On the 8th made another reconnoissance to 
Haxairs Station; also marched over Malvern Hill, where the 
battle of that name was fought. 

It was on this move that Hospital Steward Gallagher was 
bitten bv a copperhead snake. In a short time he was 
swollen almost be3'ond recognition ; but by the use of good 
old commissary whiskey and gunpowder, under the direction 
of Surgeon Holman, his life was saved, although it incapaci- 
tated him for further duties in the army. He is remembered 
by all the regiment as a very faithful and competent nurse 
and steward, many a brave boy's life having been saved by 
his faithfulness rather than by the surgeons. 

Soon rumors were rife that we were to be removed from 
the Peninsula, and march to support some of Pope and 
Halleck's unique schemes of defeating Lee in his aggressive 
movements, notwithstanding the earnest protest of Mc- 
Clellan, — the one great strategist of the war. So on the 
16th we broke camp, and marched nineteen miles down the 
Peninsula to re-enforce Pope, and encamped near Charles 
City Court-House. It was dusty and fearful hot. On the 17th 
marched twenty-five miles, and crossed the Chickahominy 



90 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

River, resting on its banks that night. It was a grand 
treat for the boys to bathe their blistered feet, and remove 
the dust and dirt in the cooling waters of the river, after 
such long and arduous marching under a broiling sun. On 
the 18th marched eighteen miles through the battle-field of 
Williamsburg, and bivouacked five miles beyond the city. 
Rested one day in camp here ; and on the 20th we marched 
eight miles, passing through Yorktown, and encamped two 
miles from the town on the Big Bethel Road. We were 
located in an immense peach-orchard ; and the men sjient 
their time while here in fishing for oysters in the neighboring 
creeks and bayous, from whose beds of mud they took many 
of the succulent bivalves, thus materially lengthening their 
scanty rations. 

In the mean time the regiment had been paid off; and on 
the twenty-ninth day of August we marched to Yorktown, 
and embarked on the bark " Texas " for Alexandria, where 
we arrived Aug. 31. We had a very fine sail up the Chesa- 
peake Bay and Potomac River. On the 1st of September, 
disembarked, and marched fifteen miles towards Fairfax 
Court-House. The field-officers had left their horses at Alex- 
andria ; and, not being used to marching, it is said that some 
of them took to the transportation teams as a means of loco- 
motion. After we had tramped the fifteen miles on the road 
towards Fairfax Court-House, we were ordered back to the 
fortifications of Washington, Pope having received a disas- 
trous defeat on the old Bull Run battle-field. We returned 
to within four miles of Chain Bridge, formed line of battle, 
and encamped. 

The previous night we had a very severe rain, the usual 
result of a hard battle. All was gloom and despondency; 
but, as soon as it was known that Gen. McClellan had been 
re-instated, the spirits and morale of the troops began to 
improve. The men never had any faith in Halleck or 
Stanton ; for, as their orders would leak out, it was apparent 
to all, that, as commanders and strategists, they were most 



OPERATIONS AT HAKIMSON's LANDINti. 91 

lamentable failures ; and to them, and them alone, were 
attributed the most of our disasters. 

But to return to the narrative. Tlie 5th of September, 
crossed Chain Bridge, and marched through Tenallytown, 
about nine miles. We were now once more on loyal ground 
and among loyal people, and were marching through a very 
picturesque part of Maryland. Sixth of September, marched 
to Orfutt's Cross-Roads, Md. Here we halted, and rested two 
days. We were holding the left flank of the Army of the 
Potomac ; Couch's division being the extreme left, and Gen. 
Devens's brigade being the left of the division. Sept. 9, 
marched eight miles, and bivouacked near Seneca Mills. 
While here, Companies K and H were detailed to guard the 
fords and rivei'-front while the rest of the regiment proceeded 
towards the South-Monntain range. On the 10th, 12th, and 
13th marched twent3^-five miles over the mountains, through 
Jefferson, and bivouacked near Burkettsville. On the 14th 
marched through Burkettsville and South-Mountain Gap, or 
Crampton Pass, into Pleasant Valley. On the 17th marched 
eight miles up South Mountain through Rohrersville, and biv- 
ouacked for the night. On the 18th marched for the battle- 
field of Antietam ; and, while passing through Turner's Gap 
in the South Mountain, Companies H and K, commanded 
by Capt. Whitcomb of Company H, rejoined the regiment. 
These companies had previously passed over Crampton's Gap, 
where Franklin had made his successful charge the day 
before, the debris of the fight being thickly strewn upon the 
declivity and the top of the mountain. By hard marching, 
they had come up with the regiment in hopes to be in time 
to engage in the battle impending. Arriving at the battle- 
field, we formed line of battle in rear of Porter's corps, 
where we rested a few hours, then crossed Antietam River, 
and were placed upon skirmish-line. About six o'clock r.M. 
a flag of truce was displayed upon the lines, and our wounded 
were brought in. There was active skirmishing all along the 
line, but the regiment was not severely engaged. 



92 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Eaiiy in the morning, Adjt. Dan Packard of the Seventh 
came along the reserve line, and awakened the men ; for we 
were massed for a grand rush on Lee's lines. But the wily 
rebel had stolen away in the darkness of the night, his army 
crippled by the loss of more than thirty thousand men in 
killed, wounded, and stragglers. He was a defeated and out- 
generalled man ; and by this battle, as Gen. Longstreet has 
well said in his articles in " The Century Magazine," pub- 
lished by Scribners, " The key-stone to the Confederate arch 
was sprung." By the loss of so many of his noble soldiers, 
Lee never recovered his former prestige or prowess. The 
South could ill afford the loss of so many men, while the 
North was as strong as ever by natural accessions. 



CHAPTER XII. 

FROM BULL RUN TO ANTIETAM. 

THE following account of the events mentioned in the 
preceding chapter was written by Sergt. Walter S. 
Goss for " The Woonsocket Patriot," and is presented here 
as being of particular interest to the men of the Seventh 
Massachusetts : — 

" After two or three hours' halt at Chantilly, we are up 
again and away. The whole army is getting back on the 
lines about Washington. Our field and staff are all afoot, 
and are getting a sample of foot-soldiering. The rank and 
file are well aware of that fact ; and, when the head of the 
column is pointed Washingtonward, the word is passed down 
the line to march in close order, and stretch out for a home 
gait. Well, there was never better marching put on record. 
Without halt or straggle we make quick time over that fif- 
teen miles or more of road, and rest when we get back on 
the knapsack base. About a half an hour after, the first dis- 
mounted officer comes limping feebly along, and is saluted 
by a volley from the ranks of ' Close up there I close up 
there ! ' which the valiant lieutenant-colonel took up and 
repeated. He saw the point ; as he had often before, when 
the boys were trudging along weary and foot-sore, exasperated 
them with the infernal refrain of 'Close up there ! ' until for- 
bearance seemed no longer a virtue. It was over an hour 
before all our stragglers — official ones — came in; and then 
we shouldered our little trunks, and went up over tlie hills 
and down into a little vale, and hid up. P>ut the respite was 



94 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS TOLUXTEEE INFANTEY. 

not long ; for shortly a mounted orderly came down upon the 
colonel with 'I have been looking for you over an hour, 
colonel." — • Well, you have found me. but I did not mean 
for you to," responded Russell. 

" Then we got orders to go to Chain Bridge. The colonel 
and staff were completely played out, so an old farmer was 
found with a rickety ' carryall ' who for pelf took on the dis- 
mounted officials : and the line of march was now to follow 
the team. Either through ignorance of the road or a pur- 
pose mistake that old farmer carted his cargo of officers into 
our picket-line away up to BalFs Cross-Roads, and a straggling 
few of the foot-men had followed on, while the rest of the 
regiment had fallen out, and bivouacked by the wayside. 
The first question the colonel asked the picket was, ' Is there 
any water here i' ' — ' Yes. plenty." — • Then we'll stay here to- 
night." In fact, it was so dark that we miglit have blundered 
about all night without getting any nearer our destination. 
Since leaving the ship, about thirty hours before, we had 
marched about fifty-two miles. — that is, the less than a hun- 
dred men who stacked arms that night as a regiment : and 
tired and sleepy would but weakly express our feelings. 

'* In the morning we made tracks for Chain Bridge, and 
found the better part of the regiment there. We encamped 
on nearly the same ground where we got such a taste of sol- 
diering early in the spring. Since we left here, and have 
gained in experience and cheek, we are ready to play all 
manner of pranks on the newly recruited regiments, who set 
us down as roughs, and think themselves the heau-ideal sol- 
diei-s because they sport paper collars and white gloves ; but 
we are not on our parade just at this time, as we have passed 
that point. 

"One little experience with new troops I will narrate before 
we push on to new fields. Lying near us here was a Penn- 
sylvania r giment which had just come out. They kept a 
guard around their camp ; and. although they allowed their 
men to go out and in at their pleasure, no outsiders were 



FROM BULL RUN TO ANTIETAM. 95 

adniittcfl within. But they had a sutler who had a good 
stock of tol)acco and good things which we were anxious to 
purchase, but it was no go. I kept my eye on that camp- 
guard, and tried to study up a pLan to get around them. 
Eureka ! I liave solved the problem ! The scakling noon-day 
sun has knocked out the new recruits. A new relief has gone 
on, some without their coats, and others without equipments. 
I called together a few of my chums, and invited them to go 
with me to tlie sutler's, to which they agreed if I would do 
the bluffing. Well, we walked straight over the guarded line. 
The sentry ordered us to halt, and I asked him for his 
authority. He said he was a guard, and I told liim that old 
soldiers did not recognize a man in his shirt-sleeve« and with- 
out e([uipments as a general thing. That staggered him, and 
he cried lustily for the corporal of the guard ; but he, luckily 
for us, came without a coat, and we refused to notice him. 
Well, we kicked up the Devil's own row in that regiment, 
and brought the officer of the day down on us. He pomp- 
ously demanded what we meant by running over his guard, 
to which we replied that we hadn't seen any guard ; that if 
he would consult the rules and regulations, he would find 
that his camp-guard must be armed and equipped and in 
uniform. We carried the point: and the sequel of the matter 
was, that the whole guard was taken off, and marched to 
their quarters ; and, when they came back, they were in full 
dress, wiiite gloves and all ; but they had orders to let old sol- 
diers pass to the sutler's, so he was made happy, and we lived 
fat the rest of the day. And 1 think the officers ol that 
regiment will never forget how the old soldiers discijilined 
them for the poor privilege of patronizing their sutler. 

'* Our tarry near Chain Bridge is short, as the army is push- 
ing into Maryland to look up and head off Lee. The cok 
umns sjiread over a large section of country, trying to cover 
Washington and the enemy at the same time. We take the 
river-road. Sept. 4 we stop near Tenallytown ; on the Gih 
are at Offent's Cross-Road. The Uth finds us at tli»' mouth of 



96 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER rS'FAXTRT. 

the Seneca. On the night of the 10th we arrive at Poolville, 
and stop there over the 11th. I remember Poohille, and a 
night's lodging which I tried to put in there, which narration 
will show how low the soldier fell in his estimate of comforts. 
We halted at Poolville near evening : the weather was low- 
ery, and foreboded a rain. The orderly-sergeant came to me, 
and confidentially imparted the information that he had found 
a first-rate place to sleep : he told me to take my knapsack, 
and hurry up before the place was pre-empted. I hurried, 
and found the house with its ample yard was vacant. We 
crawled into the snug little house, and found it well littered 
with fine straw. We spread our blankets, and prepared to 
put in a good solid night's snooze, which we didn't ; for in 
less than an hour every square inch of our bodies was ting- 
ling and quivering under the agonv of ten thousand bites. 
It was no miracle when we took up our beds, and walked : 
it was fleas that drove us forth. 'The wicked flee when no 
man pursueth,' but it is a pretty good man who can pursue 
a flea with success. We carried away a young million of 
those fleas out into a pelting storm, where we chose to take 
, our chances with those we had captured rather than with 
those we left behind. I had always thought that it was a 
hog's nature to rub and scratch, but I learned that his sur- 
roundings made the process an urgent necessity. Those 
wicked fleas clung to us, and made life miserable for three 
days, when one evening we went up into the shade of ' Sugar- 
loaf ' Mountain, disrobed, laid our clothes on the ground, and 
beat them with a bush until the last flea fled. Then we 
registered an oath to consort with hogs and their abiding- 
places no more. 

" Our division threw off regiments all along the route to 
Vuard the crossing of the Potomac ; also single companies 
were left. Then we would halt long enough for them to 
overtake us. The 12th, we are at Barnesville for the night : 
and the 13th, at Lickville. Here, I think it was, a detail 
was thrown out upon a road, with instructions to let no one 




n;\r\ i;. iii;nni:it 

Wa-roiuT Co. '-A." 



FROM HULL RUN To ANTIiyrAM. 97 

pass without finding out all about their business. I was on 
post three from the outer one. About midnight there is a 
clatter of hoofs and a rattle of sabres, then the challenge, 
' Halt I ' On they come again, and are again halted ; then the 
man on our post takes up the •• Halt,' to a dozen or so horsemen. 
' Well, ril be danged ! what does all this mean?' inquired 
the leader; and when told what the orders were, he replied, 
' You've got a d d sweet time ahead ! I am Gen. Stone- 
man, and I have ten thousand cavalrymen coming in.' We 
let them come without any more questioning. 

" One night about an hour before sunset we were halted in 
a field enclosed with a high snake-fence on the outskirts of 
the aristocratic town of Jefferson. Col. Russell told us that 
we would stop here a short time, and march all night. ' So 
make your little fires, and cook your little coffee, men, but 
don't touch the rail-fence.' The fence was all the available 
wood in sight, so some of the men propounded the conun- 
drum to the commander. ' Well,' said he, 'you can take the 
top rail.' When I got around to the fence, the top rails, and 
more, were gone ; and while I was weighing the probabilities 
of getting snubbed if I filched another rail, a man stepped 
up, and took one off. ' Here ! here ! ' said the colonel, who 
was standing near, ' didn't I tell you to take only the top 
rail ? ' With the utmost nonchalance the man put the rail 
back, then stepped away, and struck an attitude witli both 
arms spreUd out, and exclaimed, ' There, colonel I isn't that 
the top rail ? ' The official was outflanked, and replied with 
a wavering voice, 'Oh, take it away, dem ya I you would 
take the bottom rail, and then swear it was the top one.' 
Then I took a ration of rail ; and, when we got through with 
that fence, the bottom rails were the top ones. 

"To show the bias of tlie upper classes who dwelt in 'my 
Maryland,' I give this little incident : I was detailed to take 
out a squad to fill the canteens of the company, and we 
picked out a brick mansion that supported a wooden pump 
in the yard. There was a bucket by the side of the pump. 



98 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

which we used to fill from. The woman of the house came 
to the door, and said to a negro, ' Sam, bring that pail in 
here.' We filled the pail, and gave it to Sam, when we were 
saluted with, ' Throw the water out, Sam. I don't want any 
Yankee slobberings.' Then I ordered Sam to bring the pail 
back, while she threatened him with dire calamity if he did 
not obey her ; but I carried the day, as soldiers always did 
with darkeys. ' Madam, I suppose you would not let us have 
the water if you could stop us,' said I. ' You may be sure 
that I would not,' was her reply ; and she looked it. 

" I bid her a polite good-evening, which she did not con- 
descend to notice, then left her to enjoy her own company, if 
such a thing were possible. 

"At nine o'clock we are again on the march, and swing 
off through the town to the tune of 'Old John Brown,' sung 
by five hundred voices. We trail on, up over the mountain 
road in a splendid moonlight night. On the side of this 
mountain, in a shanty, old John Brown had his first head- 
quarters in Maryland, and that is why we gave the inhabit- 
ants of Jefferson City our parting shot ; and they stood at 
their doors, and listened, while not a comment from them 
reached our ears. 

"This part of the State through which the army passed on 
its way to Antietam is pastoral and beautiful, — mountain 
ridges with farms on their table-lands, and perfect gems of 
fruitful valleys. This is the impression which I brought 
away with me. The reason may be, that I was favorably im- 
pressed, because we got a plenty to eat, as bread was but ten 
cents for a big loaf, and butter ten cents a pound if we did 
not locate, which, if we did, the demand drove up the price. 
When we first got to Poolville, sugar could be bought for six 
cents per pound : and before we left, the price went up to 
twenty-five cents. A trader is a sharper the world over ; and 
there is no limit to his conscience or price, only the ability of 
his patrons to pay, and hold out in the race. 

" We are passing on in support of Franklin, who is at 



FUOM TiT^LL RUN TO ANTIETA:^!. 99 

Biirkettsville, and is fighting the battle of ("rampton Pass. 
There is but one street passing through Burkettsville, as I 
remember it, and that goes straight over the mountain ridge. 
It was on the Burkettsville side of the mountain, and on the 
crest, where the enemy made their last stand behind a stone 
wall, that the fighting was done. The enemy wt-re Howell 
Cobb's Georgia troops ; and the best part of the fighting on 
our side was done by the First Jersey brigade, commanded by 
Gen. John Newton. They scaled the heights on the left of 
the road, or pass, and drove the enemy before them ; and how 
they did such an act in the face of a heavy fire, was a clincher 
to me when I went over their tracks shortly after. The side 
of the mountain was so near to the perpendicular in places, 
that I had to pull myself up by the aid of the shrubbery 
which clothed its ledge sides. And they left their dead 
strewn to mark their tracks. To me it seemed hard to die 
in such a place, where bushes were all that held them in posi- 
tion, and kept them from rolling down to the valley below. 

"About four hundred prisoners, from seventeen different 
organizations, were taken here ; and I was there to witness 
the formalities of paroling the officers, and saw two of them 
nudging each other, and express their satisfaction that they 
were well out of the coming fight. They were intelligent- 
looking young men ; but they did not love fighting, it ap- 
peared, any better than a fellow who stood near them that I 
could easily put my finger upon. 

''There was but one church in the neat little village of 
Burkettsville, and it was filled with the wounded Union men. 
The inhabitants were intensely loyal, and were anxious to aid 
in the care of the suffering soldiers ; and it was the only 
scene of that description that I saw during the war, for the 
women were trotting around with little dishes filled with 
dainties, hurrying and hovering about the church. It was a 
busy day for the people of that village, and everybody seemed 
to be on the tiptoe of excitement ; while the soldiers, tough 
sinners, hardened and of sterner stuff", lolled around uncon- 



100 SEVEXTH XASSACeUSETTS VOLUNTEER I>TANTRY. 

cernecl of the present, knowing that this small fight was but 
the precursor of an event where the crimson tide from thou- 
sands will baptize the soil of Maryland. 

"•On the same day, Sept. 14, that the battle of Crampton 
Gap was fought, there were two more distinct engagements 
farther up the South-Mountain range for the purpose of 
turning or forcing the passage of Turner's Gap, which was 
defended by the Confederate general, D. H. Hill, who bore the 
brunt of the fighting. Gen. Hooker with the First, and Gen. 
Reno with the Ninth Corps, did the fighting here. Reno was 
on the old Sharpsburg Road at the south of the gap. and 
Hooker on the Martinsburg on the north. There was a 
seven-hundred-foot altitude to overcome ; and the fighting 
lasted from earlv morn tUl late at night, the enemy taking 
refuge behind stone walls, and making a stubborn resistance. 
Gen. Reno was killed here late in the afternoon, of whom 
Gen. McClellan said, ' He was a skilful soldier, a brave and 
honest man.' 

'• Gen. Franklin's orders were to relieve the troops at Har- 
per's Feiry: but. when the mountain pass had been opened, 
that portion had gone up. and the troops of Gens. ^IcLaws 
and Anderson confronted him in Pleasant Valley, and barred 
the way. 

•• At early morn on the loth the men are in line looking 
for the enemy. Gen. Lee is making a rapid concentration of 
his army on the banks of the Antietam Creek and near 
Sharpsburg, with the apparent intention of fighting a defen- 
sive battle. The cowardly surrender of Harper's Ferry has 
left his supplies in a satisfactory condition, and he considers 
himself in a position to throw down the gage of battle. 
The Army of the Potomac are right after him. It was late in 
the day, so no attack was made on the strong position of the 
enemy. A large part of the day was spent in reconnoitring 
the position of the foe, and at two p.m. Gen. McClellan gave 
the word ' Go ! ' ' Fighting Joe Hooker,' who commands the 
First Corps with its three splendid divisions under Meade. 



FROM r.VLL la N I'o ANTIKTAM. 101 

Ricketts, and Doubleday, opened the ball by marching out 
from Keedysville, a little village two miles or less from the 
line of attack. The programme laid down is for Hooker to 
turn the enemy's left, and double it back on his centre ; but 
he little more than got his position on the other side of the 
stream when darkness set in, and the men bivouacked down 
on the ground won from the enemy. He had carried his 
objective point, planted his artillery, and was ready for the 
morning's fray. During the night the veteran Gen, Mans- 
field, who had but a short time before assumed the command 
of the Twelfth Corps, moved over the creek in the darkness 
and rain, following the tracks of Hooker ; and during the 
morning his men snatched a brief hour of troubled sleep. 

"Any one who has read up the battle of Antietam has 
read a great deal about the Dunker Church. This church 
was in the edge of quite an extensive wood, as I viewed it 
from the left of it, or more properly from the centre of the 
line. The ground fought over, as far as my observation 
went, Avas ledgy and ridgy. The rebels were under cover 
of the woods and rising ground, and along this line was a 
sunken road with a heavy stone wall for shelter when they 
were quiet ; while our side had to make their advance over 
open ground in the face of the enemy's scathing fire. 

"Early in the morning of the 17th the rebs opened with 
picket-firing and bursting shells, but Hooker was up and 
ready before daylight. At sunrise the Federal infantry is 
on the move to enveloj) the Confederate left; they sweep 
across the open fields, driving the enemy before them : they 
strike the road near Dunker Church, and Jackson's and 
Hood's divisions at the same time ; they falter, then turn, 
and flee from that deadly storm of lead and iron, and the 
advancing hosts of Lee. Hartsuffs brigade of Ricketts's 
division is moved up to the front, and puur in their volleyed 
thunder upon the exultant foe ; and they in turn take to the 
woods, when Hooker makes a counter-charge, to be again 
hurled back with thinned and diminished lines. 



102 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

" Hooker has come to the conclusion that the woods about 
Danker Church is the key of the battle-field, and must be 
carried. 

" There is a peculiarity about this key business : if there 
is an unlikely hole to get into, and a good smart chance of 
losing a few thousand men, military genius always imagines 
there is a key there lying out in the cold, which they are in 
duty bound to gather in, which they most always don't. 
Now, I always had a crude, unscientific idea, that, when the 
enemy had concentrated their minds and forces to hold on to 
that particular key, we could make a better success of key- 
finding on some weaker spot in their line. There were Sum- 
ner and Franklin and Burnside, — yes, and the greatly abused 
Porter, — had they been looking for a key as persistently as 
Hooker was, Lee would have looked for his key to the situa- 
tion along towards the city of Richmond if he was able to. 
But as Hooker was the only one at that time that tried to 
unlock the position, we must follow him. 

" At seven o'clock Gen. Mansfield with the Twelfth Corps 
had gone into the field, and made his fight directly opposite 
the church. Hooker was at the right of ito They raged on ; 
lines wavered and broke ; serried columns staggered and 
melted away. 

" Blue and gray lay stretched in the cold grasp of death : 
and yet the carnage must go on, though mothers weep, 
and widows moan ; though homes are desolated, what care 
we? we are making historj'^ with thundering noise, writing 
it in letters of blood. A small army is pressing to the 
rear : some limp with shattered limb, or hold fast to a 
mangled arm ; some crawl away from out the murderous 
fire to die, — a ghastly array of the battle's fruits to be gar- 
nered by the surgeons, who with saw, knife, and probe are in 
their glory. 

" At nine the Second Corps with the venerable Sumner 
comes on the field. The bluff, brave Sedgwick sails in with 
his division, and is roughly handled by the adversary. Twice 



FROM BULL RUN TO ANTIETAM. 103 

is he serioush'^ wounded, and leaves the field. Hooker has 
been wounded and retired, while Mansfield is killed. Our 
forces have gained ground all along the line, but are unable 
to get at the key which our generals declared must be wrested 
from the grasp of the en^my. But Hooker is disabled, and 
Sumner is in command of the right, and he demands that no 
more assaults shall be made, as it would imperil the whole 
army. He forbids Franklin from making any further attack, 
but to hold his ground. The enemy is exhausted and shat- 
tered, and are in a critical situation, if our side should open 
as they ought all along the line ; but Gen. McClellan's judg- 
ment is overruled by Sumner, to whom he looks up, and in 
whose judgment he has confidence. 

"It is near noonday, and the brazen lips of cannon are 
hurling out their rations of death and dismay, while the men 
hug the earth in fond embrace. The infantry fire on the line 
has become quiescent. But where is Burnside ? He has not 
been heard from. McClellan ordered him at eight A.M. to 
carry the bridge on his front ; three times orders were sent 
him to carry the bridge, which was not done : then, after 
three hours' delay. Inspector Gen.-Col. Sackett was sent with 
orders for Burnside to take the bridge immediately, if he had 
to do it at the point of the bayonet ; and Col. Sackett was 
instructed to remain with Burnside, and 'see that the order 
was executed promptly.' 

"At one o'clock the bridge was carried by a brilliant 
charge of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania and the Fifty-lirst 
New- York Regiments. 

"After his troops were across the creek, he halted until 
three o'clock, when he was twice ordered to push on before 
he moved. Then he fought his way through to the outskirts 
of Sharpsburg, where he met fresh troops direct from Har- 
per's Ferry, who forced him back, when night came on, and 
the fighting ceased all along the line." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

MOVEMENTS FROM ANTIETAM TO THE FRONT OF FREDERICKSBURG. 

ON the 20th we were engaged in driving back Stuart's 
cavalry across the river at Williamsport. The regiment 
and brigade were under a very severe artillery fire for over 
three hours ; but Stuart finally sullenly retired, throwing 
solid shot through and around us for an hour or more after 
his right was driven in. The regiment spent the most of the 
21st on a range of heights about one mile back of the line we 
held on the 20th. 

While moving back to encamp in a piece of woods to 
escape the sun, Sergt. John O. Hill of Company E was fatally 
shot through the heart by the accidental discharge of a gun 
that had fallen from a stack of arms. He was beloved by 
all his company and regiment. A fine soldier and a sincere 
friend, his death was most sincerely mourned. But such is 
the fate of soldiers. 

We remained in the woods two days, when we moved to 
Downsville, some two miles, and encamped. Here we per- 
formed picket and guard duty, and enjoyed the beautiful 
autumnal weather, while Gen. McClellan prepared the army 
for another invasion of Virginia. 

We were in a sad plight in regard to clothing. Very many 
of the men had no shirts or shoes ; some even were without 
blouses, except what remained of what were once called by 
that name, which were in rags and tatters ; and very few 
had stockings. And with his army in this condition, Mc- 
Clellan was blamed because he would not move from his line 
of communication until the men were properly clothed to 
meet the inclemency of the coming winter. 



.MOVKMKXTS FROM ANTIKTAM. 105 

Oct. 18, 1862, we were ordered to Iluncock, Md., to oppose 
a threatening move made by the enemy's cavalry. After 
marching twenty-eight miles, we reached Hancock on the 
evening of the 20th of Octoljer. The scenery on this line of 
march is wild and picturesque. P'or many miles the road 
runs along the North Mountains, the river on the farther side, 
and the canal on the side next the road. Hancock is very 
pleasantly situated on the river-side, and was quite a large 
village for that part of Maryland. It had a church and 
cemetery, and several stores where very poor or raw whis- 
key was sold, a fact which many of the men and officers 
were not long in finding out. But Col. Russell soon had a 
guard to stop the run of this brain-upsetter ; Company F, 
under Capt. Bliss, being detailed as a provost. 

The 21st of October marched back to Cherry Run to meet 
a move of Stuart's cavalry ; encamped, and by this cliange 
lost our winter quarters. On the 27th marched back through 
Clear Springs, and bivouacked near Williamsport. The 29th 
we marched to Downsville. The regiment suffered extremely 
on these marches from lack of clothing, as our route was 
mostly among mountain heights, and the clear, frosty air was 
very benumbing. While encamped at Downsville, P^ederick 
Cook of Company K died. He was a noble soldier. 

On the 31st we began the movement for the invasion of 
Virginia, and reached Rohrersville after marching fourteen 
miles. We had a loyal reception from the Union people all 
along the line of march. Nov. 1, 1862, the regiment marched 
ten miles, and bivouacked near Berlin. At this place large 
quantities of clothing were issued, of whicii the troops were 
sadly in need. 

This delay in providing the army with necessary supplies 
caused the soldiers a great amount of suft'ering ; and for this 
the cabal at Washington were responsible, for they hampered 
the commanding general in every possible way. It was well 
known that Edwin M. Stanton was inimical to Gen. Mc- 
Clellan: and if it liad not been for President I.iuti>ln, who 



106 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

always had confidence in McClellan as a military chieftain, 
he would never again have commanded the army after his 
removal from the Peninsula. 

We were now launched forth upon a campaign with a 
large and well-appointed army ; the rank and file much 
improved in morale, and commanded by the only general who 
ever gained a substantial victory over Lee, except Meade at 
Gettysburg the year following. The weather was crisp and 
cold, and the thousands of the army covered the sides of the 
mountain with their camp-fires. As we fell in for roll-call, 
with roll of drums and blare of trumpets, on that early winter 
evening, the sight was really grand and beautiful. 

We waited here in camp one day, while Couch was cover- 
ing the gaps in the Blue Ridge, as the army debouched into 
the valley east of the Blue Ridge. On the 3d marched ten 
miles, crossing the Potomac into Virginia, and encamped 
near Wheatland. On the 4th marched fifteen miles, and 
encamped near a small, straggling village, called Union 
Village. 

This part of Virginia is a very finely wooded section ; oak, 
walnut, and chestnut being very plentiful. The boys gath- 
ered nuts to eat, and large quantities of leaves which made 
us excellent beds, and on which the soldiers slept as peace- 
fully as the children in their far-off Northern homes. 

On the 5th took up the line of march, and encamped near 
Upperville ; and on the 6th marched fifteen miles, and en- 
camped at White Plains. The orders were very strict in 
regard to foraging ; but, as there were sheep and pigs iu the 
vicinity, fresh lamb and pork would find its way into camp 
in spite of all the boys could do. 

On the 9th marched five miles, and encamped on Hog 
Mountain, near New Baltimore, Va. It was l^ere that the 
army was called upon to part with its commanding officer, 
much to the regret of the soldiers, who from raw recruits 
had been drilled, organized, and formed into one of the 
grandest armies of modern times, whose great intelligence 



MOVEMENTS FROM ANTIETAM. 107 

and discipline, as it fell from his hands, saved it from anni- 
hilation many times while under the leadership of the incom- 
petent generals who followed. They were the favorites of 
political cliques or that meddler in the civil war, Edwin M. 
Stanton, the would-be autocrat, the remover of such men as 
Sherman, McClellan, Rosecrans, and Don Carlos Buell, who 
saved Grant at Shiloh (see Grant's Memoirs). At the time 
when McClellan was in the midst of a movement which 
promised the annihilation of Lee's army, he was ordered to 
Trenton, N.J., to await further orders, while the army was 
handed over to the weak and vacillating Burnside, who had 
no capacity for such a command, and even fought the great 
battle of PVedericksburg without any fixed plan. Surely, 
" whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad ; " and 
it did seem as though they had hold of Stanton and the 
clique at Washington. That the army was often saved from 
defeat, was not due to the generalship of the leading officers, 
but to the excellent discipline of the men, and their sturdy 
determination to win. 

And now, as the regiment is about to enter a new epoch 
in its history, let us take a glance in retrospection, and see a 
summary of its work. It performed an immense amount of 
work in building corduroy roads and fortifications in a very 
unhealthy region on the Peninsula. It marched in its differ- 
ent campaigns over five hundred and seventeen miles, with- 
out counting the miles and miles of marching it did on 
picket-duty and special details. Its losses were as follows : 
killed in battle, one lieutenant and three privates ; wounded, 
one sergeant and twenty-five privates ; died of sickness, forty- 
eight ; while others who were mortally wounded are not 
recorded as among the dead. It captured twenty-five pris- 
oners in its cavalry engagement in the Seven Days' Fight, 
and also, as per Adjutant-General's report, one sergeant and 
six privates at various other times. One major, two captains, 
and nine enlisted men, were killed or mortally wounded by 
the regiment, and left in its hands. 



108 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Notwithstanding the demoralization of the General Govern- 
ment, the regiment was always ready to render quick obe- 
dience to the demands of its commanders ; for this was a 
thinking body of men, who had, by reason of a firm belief in 
the justice of their cause, resolved to be ever ready to suffer 
hardships, and, if duty so required, give even life itself in 
sustaining the honor of the flag, and in the preservation of 
the Union. 




KDCAK R( »r.lNS( )N, 
Captain Co. " I." 



CHAPTER XIV. 

REMOVAL OF McCLELLAN. — ARMY COMMANDED BY BURNSIDE, — BATTLE 
OF FREDERICKSBURG. 

ON the 7tb of November, Gen. George B. McClellan was 
relieved from the command of the army. He was a 
very superior officer, and the idol of the old Army of the 
Potomac. He took leave of the troops on the 10th of Novem- 
ber, 1862, sacrificed to a political clique at Washington, the 
imbecility of the War Department, and that self-sufficient 
strategist Halleck, who was appointed to the command of the 
United States armies after his " great victory " at Corinth, 
Miss., where one division of his army had dug a whole day 
before they were informed that Beauregard was forty miles 
away, and a part of the Union forces were in the city. 
Halleck was a strategist after the politician's own henrt, 
Stanton's idol, and a California lawyer, who understood 
intrigue fully ; in fact, a vast deal better than he did Jomini, 
whose work on strategy he translated from the French. 

Then was opened one long chapter of disasters and gloom, 
no less than fort}' thousand men being sacrificed by the in- 
efficiency of the commanding officers and want of knowledge 
at Washington. Gen. Burnside, the new commander, was a 
faithful officer, but of no great military capacity. He was 
thoroughly honest and fearless, but many a subaltern could 
have handled the army better than he did. After waiting a 
week in the vicinity of the upper Rappahannock, he com- 
menced his fatal march to Fredericksburg, giving up at once 
the great strategic advantage gained over our old antagonist 
Lee, whose army had been sei)aratcd, and our immense force 
diiven like a wedg^e through bis centre. 



110 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

So on the 16th we left Hog Mountain, and marched to 
Weaversville sixteen miles. On the 17th marched fourteen 
miles, crossing the Orange and Alexandria Railroad at 
Bristoe Station, and reached Stafford Court-House, where 
we remained till Dec. 5, when we proceeded to Belle-Plain 
Landing. 

I may say here that Couch's old division had been merged 
into the Sixth Corps after the battle of Antietam under 
Franklin ; and, when Franklin was appointed commander of 
Burnside's left grand division, Gen. Smith commanded the 
corps, and Gen. Newton the division ; while the Seventh, 
Tenth, and Thirtj^-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, with 
the Second Rhode Island and the Thirty-sixth New York, 
were a brigade in that division, commanded by Gen. Charles 
Devens, a gallant and superior officer, a native of the old 
Bay State, a man who possessed a fine education and good 
military capacity, and who has since held high positions and 
various trusts of great importance in the councils of the 
nation and State. 

After we had remained in camp four days, we moved up by 
White-Oak Church, some twelve miles from the landing. In 
the mean time the weather had grown cold and frosty. On 
Dec. 11 we broke camp at daylight, and started on the march 
towards the Rappahannock River, about a mile below Fred- 
ericksburg. As we moved out on the bluffs overlooking the 
river, a grand and fearful sight greeted our eyes. Burnside 
had given the order to bombaid the city, and the roar of over 
two hundred cannon thundered in our ears as we debouched 
upon the plain at Franklin's Crossing. Here we lay, while 
the companies of the United-States regular engineers were 
building the bridge upon which we were to cross. The 
report of the adjutant-general of the State furnished by 
Lieut.-Col. Harlow says that we waited till about five o'clock, 
when we crossed the river under a very severe fire of sharp- 
shooters, which killed and wounded some four or five men of 
the brigade. The regular engineers had laid two bridges, some 



REMOVAL OF McCLELLAN. Ill 

twenty rods apart. The regiment crossed the upper bridge, 
covered by two batteries of field-artillery. Our brigade, 
composed of five regiments, was the first to cross. The 
Seventh supported the Second Rhode Island and the Thirty- 
seventh Massachusetts on the upper bridge. Gen. Newton 
sat on his horse by the side of the batteries, which were 
throwing shell, spherical case, and canister. There was 
a large house on the banks of tlie river, which afforded the 
rebel sharpshooters a fine cover ; and the bluffs, which were 
lined with large bowlders, gave them a fine shelter also. 
After the regiment had crossed the bridge, we were imraedi- 
atel}' advanced as skirmishers, and we drove the rebs up to 
the sunken road that led to the city. The enemy lost quite 
a number of men killed ; for, as we reached the bank, they 
ran up the slope, and were a fine target for canister and 
spherical-case shot. We found some five or six lying on the 
bluff as we deployed our line as skirmishers, and advanced 
into an apple-orchard out beyond the house and barn on 
Barnard's estate. Col. Russell gave orders for the front rank 
to stand to arins the first half of the night, while the rear 
rank took the latter half ; that is, from twelve o'clock till 
morning. Nothing of importance took place the first half; 
and the only incident that happened was the demolition of 
Barnard's barn, and the slaughter, after they had been 
milked, of a cow or two ; the soldiers forming themselves into 
a commissary department, and issuing a ration of fresh beef. 
The morning opened foggy and chilly. Soon Franklin's 
grand division began to cross the river. About ten o'clock 
the fog blew away, and the sun came out hot for a winter's 
day. We lay in line of battle, but were not on active duty. 
The rebels gave us some shelling, and there was terrific can- 
nonading on our right up towards the city of P'redericksburg. 
Dec. 13 we lay in line unmolested until about one o'clock, 
when a battery opened on our right, and gave us a severe 
shelling for an hour or more, killing one of Company I's men. 
The shell burst all around and over us ; but, as we hud a small 



112 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

rise of ground in front, we escaped with but few casualties. 
But such a fire is more trying than when infantr}^ are plying 
their deadly warfare at close quarters. About two o'clock 
we were ordered to the extreme left to support the troops of 
that flank, as it was apparent that Jackson contemplated a 
decisive movement. As we were proceeding down towards 
the left, the division was subjected to a galling artillery fire ; 
and Gen. Bayard, a brave and capable cavalry officer, was 
killed by a solid shot thrown at Newton's moving division. 
After we had been in position about two hours and a half, all 
at once the rebel artillery of Hill and Jackson opened in 
terrific style, and for about two hours the shell screeched and 
burst amongst us, and just over our heads ; but after a while 
we were placed in the rear of the sunken road which runs to 
Hamilton's Crossing. We were ordered to unsling knap- 
sacks, preparatory to receiving the expected attack as we 
moved to cover. When the fire had slackened, about half- 
past six P.M., we went to get them, and found that the rebel 
shot and shell had made sad havoc with them. It was very 
fortunate that the regiment and brigade had been advanced 
to the line last held, for we should have suffered severely if 
we had remained where we were first stationed. It was a 
severe and well-directed fire, ordered by Jackson to demoral- 
ize our line, as he had determined to attack us, and, as his 
biographer says, to drive us into the river. I think it was for- 
tunate for the rebels that Jackson altered his mind ; for, his 
force being inferior to the Union one, he would have failed, 
and, no doubt, would have received a disastrous repulse, as 
our artillery ploughed over every foot of ground in front of 
our position. We lay here until about eight o'clock, when 
we passed to the right about half a mile, where we remained 
the rest of the night without being disturbed. 

The next day drew rations, and remained on the bank of 
the river until the morning of the 15th, when we moved to 
the front line of battle. In the mean time the right grand 
division had received a crushing defeat, while the left had ^ 



REMOVAL OF MrOLELLAN. 113 

fared no better: some twelve thousand men had been lost by 
the want of generalship in our commander. While he had 
dashed division after division against an impregnable position 
above us at Fredericksburg, Franklin on the left had been 
hampered and delayed by orders not easil}' understood, and 
altogether wrong so far as military tactics were concerned. 
Longstreet has well said in his "Century" articles, "If 
Franklin had massed his forty thousand men, and hurled 
them upon Jackson, no doubt our right would have been 
forced out of position, and then Burnside's success would 
have depended upon the skilful handling of his army." But 
no orders came for the masking of troops, but to attack with 
a division, and to keep its line of retreat open. Meade made 
a most gallant fight on the left with Burns's division as a 
support; but his force was too small, and Franklin's orders 
were so confusing that he did not know what to do. We 
had taken our position in front line at daylight, or just before, 
and remained there all day, waiting for darkness to cover the 
retreat of the army. Our brigade was the last to cross the 
river. The Seventh moved over on the morning of the 16th, 
being the rear of a defeated and disheartened army of men, 
who felt for Gen. Burnside's misfortune, but did not think 
much of his ability as a general. 

The casualties of the regiment across the river were one 
killed and two wounded. We marched back towards White- 
Oak Church, about two miles, encamped, and prepared for 
winter quarters. At this camp we parted with our gallant 
colonel, David A. Russell, who had been promoted to the 
command of a brigade. He took leave of the regiment in 
his usual quiet and subdued way, and carried with him the 
love and respect of his men. 



CHAPTER XV. 

COL. RUSSELL'S KECORD. 

HAVING addressed a letter to Major-Gen. Schofield, 
commander of the Eastern, or Atlantic division, asking 
for a short biographical sketch of Col. Russell, my request 
was referred to the commandant at West Point, who very- 
kindly sent me the record of our colonel while at the acad- 
emy, which I present to my readers with great pleasure. 

Headquarters United-States Military Academy, 
West Point, N.Y., Juue 23, 1887. 

Corp. N. V. Hutchinson, North Abington, Mass. 

Dear Sir, —■ Referring to yours of the 9th inst. addressed to Gen. 
Schofield, and referred by him to the superintendent, I am directed to 
say that the records of the academy give the following history of Gen. 
David A. Russell: — 

Appointed from Salem, Washington County, N.Y. Admitted July 1, 
1841, aged nineteen years, six months. Born in the State of New York. 
Father, David Russell of Salem, N.Y. 

Fourth class, first year, general merit, No. 32, class of 76 members. 

Third class, second year, general merit. No. 40, class of 67 members. 

Second class, third year, general merit, No. 38, class of 55 members. 

First class, fourth year, general merit, No. 38, class of 41 members. 

Cadet Russell was a corporal in his third class year, a sergeant in his 
second class year, and a lieutenant in his last class year. Graduated 
July 1, 1845. Promoted brevet second lieutenant. First Infantry, July 
1, 1845. For further history, see Cullum's "Biographical Register," 
vol. ii. pp. 136, 137, and 138. 

Very respectfully 

Your obedient servant, 

W. C. Brown, 
First Lieutenant First Cavalry, Adjutant. 



COL. IlUSSKLl/s RKIOKI). 11') 

I have copied this letter entire as a mark of courtesy for 
the exceeding kindness of the commandant of West Point, 
and also to call attention to Gen. Ciillums History of West- 
Point Cadets, which is a very valuable and interesting work, 
containing a full account of Col. Russell's services to the 
government in various positions in the army. 

I have also received from Gen. Couch a full account of 
Col. Russell's militar}' record, containing many extracts from 
Cnllum's West-Point Biography, which I am sure will be 
read by the men of the Seventh with interest and affectionate 
remembrance. 

David A. Russell was engaged in the war with Mexico. 
Participated in the combats of Pasco Las Vegas, Cerro Gordo, 
and Las Anemancos, and was brevetted first lieutenant, 
Aug. 15, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in these 
engagements. Served in different stations in the West, and 
was engaged in various conflicts with the Indians. Appointed 
captain Fourth Infantry, June 22, 1854. Was located in 
California, and while there was in command of a post, and 
had as his first lieutenant, Philip Sheridan, late lieutenant- 
general, commanding the army. In the war of the Rebellion, 
served in the defence of W^ashington, and appointed colonel 
Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, Jan. 31, 1862. Engaged 
in the Peninsula and Maryland campaigns, where his services 
gained for him the promotion to brevet lieutenant-colonel, 
July 1, 1862. Major of the Eighth Infantry, Aug. 9, 1862. 
Was promoted to brigadier-general of volunteers, Nov. 29, 
1862, and in command of a brigade of the Sixth Corps. 
Took an active part in the Rappahannock campaign, and was 
engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862. 
Engaged in the storming of Mayre's Heights, May 3, 1863. 
At battle of Salem Church, May 3 and 4. Was in the Penn- 
sylvania campaign, and fought in the battle of Gettysburg, 
July 2 and 3, and pursued the enemy to Warrenton, Va. 
Appointed brevet-colonel United-States Army, July 1, 1863, 
for gallant and meritorious conduct at Gettysburg. Engaged 



116 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

in the Rapidan campaign, October and December, 1863. 
Captured the rebel works at Rappahannock Station, taking 
two thousand prisoners and several cannon. This he achieved 
with his own brigade, supported by the Seventh Massachu- 
setts, Nov. 7, 1863. Participated in the Mine Run opera- 
tions, Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, 1863, and was in command of a 
division of the Sixth Corps in the Richmond campaign. 
Engaged in the battles of the Wilderness, May 5 and 6, 
1864, and was brevetted brigadier-general for his gallant 
conduct. May 6. In the battles about Spottsylvania, May 9 
and 21, he took an active part, having organized the attack 
on the evening of the 10th ; Gen. Upton, commander of one 
of his brigades, leading the charge. They captured the 
rebel works, and broke their lines ; but their almost certain 
victory was lost by the non-support of Mott's division, Second 
Corps (see Grant's Memoirs). Was at North Anna, May 23 
and 24; Tolopotomy, May 30, 1864, where Gen. Wright, 
being ordered by Meade to send his best division general to 
cross the river, and seize the crossing leading to Hanover 
Junction, Va., selected Russell ; and what better choice could 
he have made for so important an operation ? Engaged in 
the battles and actions of Cold Harbor, June 1-13, 1864; 
siege and battles about Petersburg, June 23 to July 10,1864. 
In the Washington campaign, and in the action before Fort 
Stevens, D.C., July 12, 1864. This fort was one that the 
Seventh had helped to build in the fall of 1861, and was first 
named Massachusetts, but afterwards changed to Stevens in 
memory of a regular ofiicer who died. Took part in the 
skirmish at Snicker's Gap, July 18, 1864, while in pursuit of 
Gen. Early's rebel raiders to Winchester, Va. Engaged in 
the Shenandoah campaign, commanding a division of the 
Sixth Corps, August and September, 1864. Fought in the 
battle of the Opequan, where he was killed Sept. 19, 1864, 
aged forty-two. Was brevetted brigadier-general United 
States Army for gallant and meritorious services in this 
engagement. 



COL. RUSSlOl.l/s liKCORD. 117 

Gen. Couch has always said that David A. Russell was the 
best colonel of infantry in the war, and I think no competent 
military man will gainsay him in his judgment of the abilities 
of that wonderfuU}^ efficient officer. 

I present below a copy of a letter to Gov. Andrew from 
Gen. Devens in regard to Massachusetts troops in the field 
under his command: — 

Headquartkks Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Coups, 
Near Falmouth, Va., Dec. 20, 18()2. 

To His Excellency Jonx A. Andrkw, Governor Commomvealih of Mas- 

snc/iusetls. 

Sir, — Your letter of Nov. 7, enclosing circular issued by your order, 
and dated Nov. 5, was received by nie early this month; but I trust the 
stirring events which have occurred in this army will be my excuse with 
your Excellency for any seeming delay in my reply. The Fifteenth Mas- 
sachusetts Regiment was commanded by me in the battle of Ball's Bluif, 
October, 18G1; in several skirmishes in the valley of Virginia during the 
month of March, 1862, and during most of the siege of Yorktown, I 
having been transferred from the regiment just before the close of opera- 
tions there. Since that time it has participated in all the important bat- 
tles of Virginia and Maryland, and on all occasions it has behaved with 
the most distinguished gallantry and determination. Called upon both 
at Ball's Bluff and at Antietam, where it was commanded by Lieut. -Col. 
(now Colonel) Kimball, to endure the terrific loss of more than half of its 
men engaged, it exhibited a courage and fidelity more than worthy of 
veteran troops, for it was worthy of the holy cause which had drawn its 
men from their peaceful homes. 

Having taken command of this brigade during the latter portion of 
the operations against Yorktown, the Seventh and Tenth Massachusetts 
came under my command as a portion of the brigade. At the battle of 
Williaui.sburg, May 5, the Seventh Massachusetts was under fire for the 
first time, and engaged with the enemy on the left of our line, losing 
several men. The Tenth Massachusetts was in reserve, and not actively 
engaged. In moving up the Peninsula, the first passage of the Chicka- 
h'.miuy was made by the left wing of the army under Brigadier (now 
Major) Gen. Keyes; and the Seventh Massacluusetts was the first to cross, 
with a loss of several men. The same night the Seventh and Tenth 
Massachusetts, with one or two other regiments from other brigades, 
formed an improvised brigade under my command, and held the 
Richmond side of the Chickahomiiiy during the night, and until the 



118 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

afternoon of the next day, when the crossing of the left wing was 
effected. 

At the battle of Fair Oaks, ]\Iay 31, the Seventh and Tenth ^lassa- 
chusetts were both actively engaged. But the Seventh was in a far less 
exposed position than the Tenth, and suffered much less severely. After 
the line to the left of it had been broken, the Tenth Massachusetts was 
forced back in some confusion, — the colonel having been carried from 
the field, wounded, and other field-officers being absent, — but it was 
again re-formed, mider my own immediate supervision, by Capt. Ozra 
Sliller, the senior captain, and twice again led forward, displaying tlie 
greatest gallantry, and materially checking the progress of the enemy on 
this portion of the field. Having been disabled at the battle of Fair 
Oaks, I did not command the brigade during the subsequent six weeks, 
but have on undoubted authority that the Seventh and Tenth both parti- 
cipated with the greatest credit in the battles of the seven days' retreat 
of the army to Harrison's Landing, more especially in that of INIalvern, 
in wiiich action, as at Fair Oaks, the Tenth was moie exposed, and suf- 
fered more severely, than the Seventh. 

At the battle of Malvern the Tenth was commanded by Major (for- 
merly Captain) Miller, who fell mortally wounded at its head. In any 
allusion tliat your Excellenc)' may make to the heroic dead of Massachu- 
setts, I know of no one more worthy to be mentioned by name than 
Major Ozra ^liller of tlie 'Jenth jMassachusetts. Accepting the command 
of his regiment at Fair Oaks, under the circumstances already mentioned, 
he proved himself fully equal to the task during the most trying scenes 
of that day. Dyiug at the head of his regiment only a month later at 
]\Ialvern, he had lived long enough to inspire both those below and above 
him in rank with unqualified respect for his stern courage, his lofty 
patriotism, and his unswerving fidelity to duty. 

The regiments composing this brigade, being among the last to embark 
from Yorktown, after the retreat down the Peninsula, did not arrive in 
time to take part in the battles in front of Washington at the end of 
August, although they marciied directly from the boats at Alexandria 
towards Fairfax Court-House, without waiting even to disembark the 
horses of the mounted officers. On the day of the battle of Antietam 
the brigade marcheil twnity miles, reaching the field at nightfall, and 
were next day jiut in the front line; but, the battle not being renewed, 
only skirmishers and sharpshooters of our line were engaged. 

On the fifth day of October, tiie Tiiirty-seventh Massachusetts!, then 
fresh fron) iiome, wa.s added to the regiments of this brigade. But since 
then the brigade, with the exception of some slight affairs on the Poto- 
mac, was not in action until the passage of the Rappahannock on Thurs- 
day, the 11th inst., when the brigade, including all its regiments, formed 



COL. Russell's record. 119 

the advance of the left wing of the army, and, crossing the river at sun- 
set, drove back the outposts of the enemy, and held the bridge until the 
next morning, when the main body crossed. 

On Friday, the 12th inst., and on Saturday, the 13th, it was under 
very heavy artillery fire. On Monday it w^as in the front line of battle; 
and on Monday night, heaving that we were about to evacuate, I had so 
much confidence in this brigade, and the Massachusetts troops which 
formed a large portion of it, that I asked that it might be the last brigade 
to recross, and it was accordingly designated with the brigade of Col. 
Torbert of New Jersey for this purpose. 

Throughout all these operations, the courage, earnestness, and fidelity 
to duty, of the Seventh, Tenth, and Thirty-seventh Massachusetts could 
not be excelled. 

I have stated very hurriedly and briefly what the Massachusetts regi- 
ments under my command have done, because their deeds are their best 
eulogy. The commanding ofiicers of the regiments will undoubtedly 
furnish, in answ'er to the circular of Nov. 5, in detail, the military his- 
tory — so desirable to be preserved — of their respective corps ; and I 
shall take great pleasure in calling their attention to its importance. 

In conclusion, I cannot but express the sincere gratification and pride 
that every citizen must feel in the noble troops which the State of Mas- 
sachusetts has furnished in this tremendous struggle against a rebellion 
■whose wantonness and wickedness finds no parallel in history. Fully 
aware of their deep responsibility in girding on tlie sword for the defence 
of the country, cheerfully submitting to the hardships incidental to their 
situation; always obedient to the just and necessary, although often 
irksome, restraints of military life; in the hour of trial "no dangers 
fright them, and no labors tire," — 

I have the honor to be 

Your Excellency's obedient servant, 

CiiAs. Devi'^ns, Jr., 
Brl'jadier-General United-States Volunteers. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

ARMY UNDER BURN SIDE, — COL, JOHNS. — A^MY UNDER HOOKER, 

ON the IStli of December, 1862, we moved to a well- 
wooded position near White-Oak Church. Having 
selected a line for the regiment to encamp on, the officers of 
the different companies staked off their company streets, and 
we proceeded to erect our winter quarters, which were con- 
structed with logs and shelter-tents. These tents were well 
made, and proved to be very serviceable. We generally 
built the sides with logs, some two feet high, and fastened 
the tents on top. The foot was the place for the chimney 
and fireplace, which was built up with split sticks and stones, 
plastered inside and out with Virginia mud. The head 
faced on compau}^ street. We raised the floor by using 
cross-logs some six inches through, and covered them with 
poles upon which we reclined to sleep and eat. We had 
sufficient wood to keep a fire in the fireplace, and, taken 
altogether, we were very comfortable. There was a small 
stream of water running through the centre of the camp, 
which was very useful for washing purposes. 

We remained in this camp until the 20th of January, when 
we broke camp with the rest of the army, and started on 
Burnside's march up the river in an attempt to surprise the 
enemy, in which we wholly failed. A very severe winter 
storm overtook the army, and the inclemency of the weather 
caused the roads to become so soft and miry that it would 
often take twenty horses to move a twelve-pounder cannon 
over any unusual rise. We marched eight miles through 
Falmouth, and bivouacked in a dense woods. On the 21st 




m 1^ 





IHOMAS I). joIlNS, 
Colonel. 



AI;MY I'NDEIl BURNSIDE AND IIOOICKIl. 121 

we marched three miles, and went into camp about a mile 
from Banks's Ford on the Rappahannock River. Here we 
tried to rest, a wet, tired, and discouraged body of men, 
"stuck in the mud," and unable to move forward; for the 
rebels had discovered our object, and were thoroughly pre- 
pared to receive us if we attempted to force a crossing. 
Their pickets on the river's bank used to exhibit strips of 
bark upon which were printed, " Barnside's stuck in the 
mud." On the 22d there was issued to us a generous ration 
of commissary whiskey ; and this so stiffened up the back- 
bone of the army, that it began the movement back to its 
old quarters on the 23d. 

Gen. Burnside was soon afterwards relieved. He was a 
brave and loyal officer, well liked and respected, but he was 
not competent to handle large bodies of troops. He would 
have made a fine staff-officer or secretary of war, but was 
always making mistakes when in command of an army in 
active operations. The army did not grieve when he left it, 
as we all felt that he would sooner or later lead us to useless 
slaughter. It has been said that he gave McClellan a stinted 
support at the battle of Antietam. If this is true, surely the 
fates took ample revenge upon him ; for of all the disasters 
the old Army of the Potomac suffered, the one under Burnside 
was the most useless, the army not inflicting any injur}- on 
the enemy, nor gaining one foot of ground, to compensate 
for its immense sacrifice of human life, while its morale was 
impaired to a serious extent. 

And now the narrative is approaching another epoch in the 
regiment's history. After parting with Col. Russell, we had 
been under the command of that able and fearless soldier, 
Lieut.-Col. F, P. Harlow, whose firm and unfaltering fidelity 
to duty, and reasonable discipline, had kept the old Seventh's 
efficiency up to a high plane. He was in command of us 
until the 22d of February, 18G3, when he was relieved by 
Col. Thomas I). Johns, a West- Point graduate, and resumed 
his former position of lieutenant-colonel of the regiuu'iit. 



122 SEVE>'TH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER ESFAXTET. 

It was a matter of sincere regret to a large portioD of the 
regiment to have Col. Harlow di>placed. 

Col, Johns was born in Pennsylvania. Appointed from 
his native State to West Point, where he was a cadet from 
July, 1844, to July, 1848, when he graduated, and was 
promoted to the army as brevet second lieutenant. First 
Infantry. Served on the Texas frontier, 1848-49. Served 
in California, 1850-ol. Resigned Dec. 3, 1851. ^lerchant 
in San Francisco, Cal., 1852-60. Captain in California militia. 
Superintendent of silver-mines in Nevada, 1800-62. Served 
during the Rebellion. Colonel Seventh Massachusetts Vol- 
unteers, Feb. 22, 1863-64. Rappahannock campaign. Army 
of the Potomac, April and ^fay, 1863, being engaged in the 
storming of Mayre's Heights, May 3, 1863, where he was twice 
severely wounded. In the operations to cover Wasliington, 
D.C., October, 1863. Operations of centre of Virginia, Octo- 
ber, 1863, to Deceiuber, 1863. In combat at Rappahannock 
Station, Xov. 7, 1863. At Mine Run, Va., Nov. 28 and 29, 
1863. Movement of Sixth Corps to Madison Court- House, 
Va., May 4, 1864. Skirmish on the Rapidan, .May 5 and 6. 
Battle of the Wilderness; battles about Spottsylvania Court- 
House. May 9-20, 1864. Skirmishes at Little River and 
Hanover Court-House. May, 1^^64. Battles of Cold Harbor, 
June 7-10, 1864. March to James River, June 13-16, 1864. 
Mustered out of service, June 27, 1864. Brevet brigadier- 
general United States Volunteers, March 13, 1865, for gallant 
conduct at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., and for gallant 
and meritorious conduct during the Rebellion. 

Gen. Johns has since died. He was a brave and loyal 
man, but was not fitted for an infantry command. He would 
have made a fine staff-officer, being thoroughly conversant 
with military law and official routine duty. He had some 
very superior qualities, not the least of which was his cool- 
ness in action, which made up for much of his rustiness, and 
lack of tactical knowledge. But he suffered in comparison 
with such officers as Couch, Russell, Davis, and Harlow, who 



AltMY UNDER BURNSIDE ANJ> IIimpIvKI;. 123 

were the best of tacticians. Such men as Bliss, Gurney, 
Leonard, Bowen of Company A, and other well-instructed 
oiiicers, were kept in the background by Gov. Andiew, who 
always seemed anxious to secure West-Point oiBcers, no 
matter what their qualifications or caliber. 

During the winter months we were often on picket-duty 
by the river's banks, and frequently exchanged tea and coffee 
for lebel tobacco and other knick-knacks which the Johnnies 
had to offer in return. They were very short of salt, and a 
small cargo of the precious saline would be often hailed with 
delight by them when one of our miniature boats had made 
a successful voj^age across the stormy Rappahannock. I be- 
lieve it was Gen. Couch who first gave the order not to fire 
upon the picket-line of the opposing force, considering it 
nothing but murder to kill a poor picket while on duty. For 
his noble mind realized that the occasional killing of a sentry 
could iiave no weight in the mighty issues of the war, while 
the army was in winter cantonments. 

While encamped at Stafford's Heights, we were reviewed 
by President Lincoln, Gen. Hooker having taken command 
of the army, Jan. 25, 1863. He was one of the most bril- 
liant generals the war afforded, well known to the army as 
" Fighting Joe," and would no doubt have been as successful 
as Meade, at Gettysburg, the July following, if he had been 
retained in command. The grand review took place on the 
8th of April. It was a fine sight; and the army was in 
great spirits, hoping soon to try conclusions with Lee's 
forces for the possession of Richmond. 

During the winter Gen. Hooker re-organized the cavalry 
forces, and thoroughly reconstructed the Qnartermasters' 
Department ; and at no time during the war was the Army of 
the Potomac better cared for than while under Gen. Hooker's 
command. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

STORMING OF MATRE'S HEIGHTS, —BATTLE OF SALEM HEIGHTS. 

ON the 29th of April we moved down to the bluffs on the 
river bank, Hooker having broken camp, and started on 
his great flank-march around Lee, which was one of the most 
brilliant movements of the war. Here we remained quietly, 
except to make an occasional tactical movement to deceive 
the enemy as to the number of our forces, until the 1st of May. 
On the 1st and 2d of Ma}^ the rebels shelled us very spite- 
fully from the Heights, where we were repulsed the December 
previous. At ten o'clock on the night of May 2 we crossed 
the river at the old Franklin crossing. Our brigade was 
commanded by Gen. Henry Brown of New York State, — a 
very fine officer, and as brave as a lion, — Gen. Devens hav- 
ing been assigned to a division in the Eleventh Corps a short 
time previously. The brigade, one of the most effective the 
Army of the Potomac ever had, consisted of the Seventh, 
Tenth, and Thirtj'-seventh Massachusetts, the Second Rhode 
Island, and the Thirty-sixth New York, all old and well-tried 
veterans, the survivors of many a hard-fought battle ; Fair 
Oaks, Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Williamsport, 
and F'redericksburg being the desperate engagements in 
which they had participated, while the skirmislies were num- 
erous, and many of them had risen almost to the importance 
of battles. 

During the night Gen. Sedgwick received orders to brush 
away the small force supposed to be opposed to him, and 
make a night march to join Gen. Hooker at Chancellorsville. 



BATTLE OF ]mayi;k's hkights. 125 

We were advt^nced to the l>o\vling-Green Road, when we 
faced to the right, aiid marched towards Fredericksburg. 
Gen. Newton commanded the division. Gen. Shaler's bri- 
gade led the advance : our brigade was second in line, while 
Gen. Wheaton's brigade brought up the rear. We reached 
Fredericksburg early in the morning, and were, with the 
Thirty-sixth New York, detached from the brigade, and put 
in position to hold the city against any attack the enemy 
might make against the division on the Telegraph and 
Plank Roads. We remained here under shell-fire until about 
eleven o'clock a.m., when the orders came to unsling knap- 
sacks and all encumbrances, and prepare to lead the assault 
on Mayre's Heights. The necessary preparations were soon 
made; and we moved out on the Telegraph Road looking 
towards the Heights, at the foot of which rose, repellent and 
grim, the famous stone wall upon whose almost im{)regnable 
line the Second Corps under the gallant Couch the winter 
before had dashed in vain. With the stern order, " Forward, 
Seventh ! " we moved towards the Heights ; Col. Johns being 
mounted, and the troops advancing at common time in col- 
umn of fours. 

After we had crossed the canal that runs through the city. 
Col. Johns dismounted ; and we moved forward in the charge, 
our guns uncapped, the order being given to depend upon 
the bayonet alone. I may here remark, that, just as we got 
in motion, the rebel batteries all along the Heights opened 
with shell, and one of the projectiles struck the major of the 
Thirty-sixth New York, commanding our supporting regi- 
ment, and mortally wounded him, and also disabled some 
five or six of the men. On the cohnnn moved in mass by 
fours at common time, shell and canister cutting through it 
until we had got within a hundred feet of the stone wall, 
when Barksdale's brigade of Mississippians poured in a ter- 
rific voile}' from right and left, and checked us for about 
five minutes. The road, or gulch, was filled with the dead, 
wounded, and dyinfr. Col. Johns was down, having been twice 



126 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

severely wounded. Lieut.-Col. Harlow was prostrated by a 
ball in the stomach. Lieut. Tillson of Company K was killed. 
Adjt. Dean, Capt. Oakraan, Lieuts. Bisbee and Seaver of 
Company E, Capt. Bliss of Company F, and several other 
officers whose names I have been unable to obtain, were 
severely wounded. More than fift^^ men of the leading com- 
panies, F, E, and K, were killed or wounded. But still we 
lunge forward, the brave left companies nobly supporting the 
right wing. On we stagger, men falling around us like leaves 
in autumn. Soon out of the confusion rings the clarion 
shout of Lieut.-Col. Harlow, " Forward, forward, boys ! " 
and led by that gallant officer, ably seconded by his brave 
comrades, the old Seventh struggled through and over the 
stone wall, bleeding at every step. Turning to the right, we 
rushed over the rebel redoubt, capturing two pieces of artil- 
lery which had occupied the same position the previous De- 
cember, and had done such fearful execution upon the noble 
Second Corps as to draw forth the encomiums of Gen. Lee.^ 
In the space of twenty minutes, the Seventh Massachu- 
setts had lost over a hundred men killed and wounded, and 
captured two pieces of artillery and more than a hundred 
prisoners. In this glorious assault the regiment had in col- 
umn four hundred and fifteen men, and lost over one-fourth 
of the assaulting force. We had present and absent on 
detached duty, about five hundred men ; this report is taken 
from the adjutant-general's report of Massachusetts. I have 
been concerned about the account of this noble charge, and 
have given the exact data, for many errors in relation to it 
have already found their way into print. Gen. Doubleday, 
in his brochure upon Chancellorsville and Gettj'sburg, says, 
in speaking of this assault, that Col. Welch of the Thirty- 
sixth New York rallied the column, which is utterly without 
foundation; for Col. Harlow of the Seventh Massachusetts 
rushed to the front as soon as Col. Johns was wounded, and 



1 The flag of the Seventh Massachusetts was the first to wave over the rebel 
stronghold, it having been jilanted in tlie redoubt by command of Col. 
Harlow, Color-Sergeant Boweu of Company A having the honor to fulfil 
Col. Harlow's instruction. 




CHAS. i;. 11 A rilAW.W 
2 11(1. l.ifUtcnaiU ( D. " I"." 



P.ATTr>K OK SALEM IIKIGHTS. 127 

took command of his regiment, and, as he was the ranking 
officer, commanded the column as Col. Johns did before he 
fell. 

In tlie mean time the rebels sidlenly retreated, having 
saved two pieces of artillery from the extreme left of their 
battery ; and soon' they were vigorously shelling us again, 
"having fallen back into a strong line of works with redoubts. 
We had advanced into a ravine, which tlie rebels swept -with 
a raking lire, and were ordered to lie down. Gen. Shaler's 
brigade on the right assaulted the redoubts, and captured the 
cannon which had checked our column. It was here that I 
saw one shell knock over eight men of the left company of 
the left regiment of Gen. Shaler's brigade. Presently we 
were in motion again, and moving to the left towards Lee 
Hill. Gen. Brooks's division was putting in good work by 
capturing cannon and prisoners. We advanced slowly, the 
enemy contesting every inch of ground. The plain was 
alive with rebel infantry, artillery, and baggage-wagons. We 
moved along till we gained the plank road, where we rested 
until Gen. Brooks's division had taken the advance. 

About five o'clock we were advancing towards Salem 
Heights, when the rebels opened with a very severe fire from 
a strong position near Salem Church. The brigade of Gen. 
Russell pushed forward, and developed a strong force of the 
enemy in line of battle on the edge of the woods. From a few 
scattering shots it became a rattle, then a roar, and finally 
came the thunder of the artillery. Newton's division formed 
on the right of the road, and Brooks's on the left. Almost 
immediately they became involved in a terrible struggle with 
the enemy. The brigade on the right of Newton's division 
met with a severe repulse, and then the Seventh Massachusetts 
was again called upon to breast the leaden storm. We had 
filed in upon the right of the main road, just back of the road 
that leads to Banks's Ford, and were listening to the roar 
of the battle, when down came a courier to Col. Harlow. " Is 
this the Seventh i\Iassachusetts? " — " Yes, sir," responded 



128 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

the colonel. "Forward, then, double-quick! Wheaton's 
brigade is all torn to pieces, and is being driven like sheep. 
You must save the day ! " So on the double-quick we started 
for a small hill in front, and were soon in position, and 
ordered to lie down. Gen. Brown, the brigade commander, 
rode along the lines, saying, " Keep cool, boys ; keep cool. 
Seventh Massachusetts, you must stop them." Presently a 
massive column of rebel infantry broke fj'om the woods, and 
advanced on the run, brigade front, four lines deep, uttering 
the rebel yell, and piling the plain with our poor boys, who 
had been broken to pieces by the ambush. At length they 
arrived near our front : then the order came, "Up, boys!" 
from Col. Harlow; then the command, "Ready, aim, fire!" 
and a crasliing volley met that on-coming line of gray, and 
shattered them. "Fire at will," shouted the colonel. Still 
on they came, with yell after yell, shouting their battle-cry. 
They fall by scores, but on they press. Their colors fall : 
brave men grasp them, and wave them defiantly aloft. On 
they rush, great gaps in their lines ; for by this time canister 
is reaping its harvest of death, being hurled through that 
dense mass of men by batteries on the right and left. Not 
until they reach the immediate slope of the rise upon which 
the regiment is in line of battle, do they halt or falter. The 
old Seventh has well sustained its record for steadiness and 
tenacity. Alone it threw back more than two brigades of 
McLaws's division, the very best fighting men in Lee's army. 
Next the order to advance was given ; and the enemy was 
forced back more than a mile, with the assistance of the 
Tenth Massachusetts c^nd Second Rhode Island, who had 
formed on our right. But we did not succeed in routing 
them ; for darkness intervened, and stopped the advance of the 
Union troops, enabling the rebels to re-form their lines during 
the night, and present a solid front in the morning. The 
regiment lay in line of battle all night on the ground from 
which the foe had been driven. 

In this short and bloody battle, the Seventh Massachusetts 




I'Ki'.N iiss M. Will riNi;. 

C.ii)t;iin (\). " A." 



THK ROLL OF HONOi:. 129 

held in check more than two brigades of the rebels for over 
an hour, until the brigade in our front which suffered defeat 
had time to re-form, and the rest of our own brigade in our 
rear could arrive, and help to check the exultant rebels. 

Here it was that the noble Whitney of Company I gave 
his life in defence of the Union, and Lieut. John C. Bosworth 
of Company A was wounded while fighting for the preserva- 
tion of the honor of his country. 

Follow^ing is a list of the killed and mortally wounded in 
the battles of Mayre's and Salem Heights, and which may 
well be called, — 

THE KOLL OF HONOR. 



Killed. — C Apt. Prentiss M. Whitney, Company I ; First Lieut. 
Albert Tillson, Company K. 

Severely Wounded. — Col. Thomas D. Johns; Lieut. -Col. L. P. 
Harlow, commander of the regiment ; Adjt. Edward N. Dean ; 
Capt. Zebe F. Bliss, Comi)any F : Capt. Mathewson, Capt. Ban- 
croft, Capt. Hiram A. Oakman, Company E ; First Lieut. Wright 
Bisbee. Company F; Lieut. John C. Bosworth. Lieut. Seaver, 
Company D : and several other officers, whose names I have been 
unable to secure. 

Company A. 

Killed. — Sergt. James L. Brightman : Privates James O'Neill, 
William Uncles. 

Mortally Wounded. —Corp. James Cloiigh. 

COMPANV B. 

Killed.— Cor[). Michael Ryan ; Private William Hazeltinc. 
Mortally Wounded. — None . 

Company C. 

Killed. — None reported . 

Mortally Trou?iderf. — Privates .lames Kelly. William M. Dun- 
ham. 



7 



130 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Company D. 

Killed. — None reported. 
*" Y Mortally Wounded. — Corp. Charles L. Wilbur ; Private James 
Conl in 

CoMPAxr E. 

Killed. — Private David Brown. 

-J Mortally Woimded. — Privates George MacElro}', William Bole. 

Company F. 

Killed. — Sergts. Charles F. Dean, Gideon E. Morton; Corp. 
- William H. Hammond ; Privates John Brown, Seth GijDson, Loyal 
W. Pratt. "^ ■' ' 

Mortally Wounded. — Privates Wesley Bridges, James Groves. 

Company G. 
Killed. — None reported. 
Mortally Wounded. — None reported. 

Company H. 

Killed. — Privates Owen O. Mally, Ebeh Willard. 
J 3Iortally Woxmded. — Private John Blanehard. 

Company I. 

Killed. — None reported. 

Mortally Wounded. — Corp. Bartletti-Prmrtes A. Keith, James 
2 B. Tisdale. 

Company K. 

Killed. — Privates Charles W. Reed, Marcus M. Levett. 
C Mortally Wounded. — Privates John B. Newcomb, John B. 

MacMakins, William W. Josselyn, Henry W. Beebe. 

These are the silent heroes of Mayre's and Salem Heights ; 
our comrades who fell on the field of honor, and gave their 
hopes, their aspirations, and their lives, for the purpose of 
sustaining the law and institutions of their countr}-. In 



THE llOLL OF IIOXoi:. 131 

peace they were our friends, in dang'er our brothers, and in 
death they became our heroes. We mourn the loss of these 
noble men, many of M'hom, if they had returned to tlie peace- 
ful pursuits of life, might liave adorned any station where 
character, manhood, and virtue w6re demanded. In any 
position they would have been found faithful, even as they 
were on the field of battle. Their best monument is in the 
prosperity of our Union, and the benedictions of a grateful 
people. 

Over one hundred other brave and noble men of our 
regiment were wounded in this desperate strife, many of 
whom died from the effects of their wounds in the subsequent 
years of the war. Many were maimed and disfigured, and 
health impaired ; but as the rolls were so defective, it lias 
been impossible to obtain their names in full; and also all 
were daring of record. The leaving out of any name would 
be a slight, and so we have recorded only the dead and 
mortally wounded of the privates and non-commissioned 
officers. 



CHAPTER XVIir. 

OPEEATIONS OF GEN. SEDGWICK, — MOVEMENT OF GEN, HOOKEK, — 
GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN. 

THE next morning Gen. Sedgwick gave orders to re-form 
the lines, so as to hold the road leading to Banks's Ford 
on the Rappahannock River. It was apparent from the forces 
met, that Lee could hold Hooker, and still confront Sedgwick 
with the greater part of his army. Rumors were rife that 
Hooker had been defeated. The wounded were sent to 
Fredericksburg ; and Sedgwick made preparations to save 
the Sixth Corps from capture and annihilation, striving with 
only eighteen thousand men, wholly tired out, to hold in 
check Lee, who, with a force of thirty thousand men, fell upon 
the remnant of the Sixth Corps, and drove it towards the 
river; while Hooker, thoroughly whipped, remained cooped 
up in his fortifications with seventy-live thousand fighting 
men, furnishing an example for Butler to imitate a year later 
at Bermuda Hundreds. Hooker, in attempting to account for 
his defeat, tried to throw the blame on Sedgwick, who had 
performed the only redeeming act in this tragedy of errors. 
Lee, on the morning of the 4th, prepared for action on Sedg- 
wick's front. Early moved up the telegraph-rOad towards 
Fredericksburg, and was soon firmly established upon 
Sedgwick's left flank. He had recaptured the Heights, and 
was ready by four o'clock p.m. to strike effectual blows in aid 
of Lee. He captured some of our ambulances loaded with 
the wounded who were moving into Fredericksburg from the 
battle-field of the night before. Lee formed his lines delib- 



OPERATIONS OF GKN. SED(;\VI('Iv. 138 

erately, and by so doing paid a greater tribute to Sedgwick's 
ability than he did to that of Hooker, whom he always 
immediately struck wherever he could find him. Soon after 
four o'clock huge columns of attack formed against Sedg- 
wick's centre and left. But, as they were launched against 
that living wall of men who upheld the honor of the Sixth 
Corps, they were driven back in disastrous repulse. Charge 
after charge was made upon Howe and Brooks, and a part of 
Newton's line, but without avail. Darkness fell upon the 
defeated force of Lee, who had been repulsed by eighteen 
thousand men of the Sixth Corps ; while Hooker, with eighty 
thousand men, had been unable to hold his own against some 
forty-five thousand infantry of Lee. Surely, further comment 
is unnecessary. 

As the author lay wounded upon Stafford Heights, he could 
see the whole battle-field ; and as the sand-bag battery of 
siege-guns exploded their huge shells over the charging col- 
umns of Lee, it was a grand and terrible panorama. First 
would come the solid column of gray, rushing on with its 
famous yell ; and then the roar of the Union cannon, and a 
white flash of flame and smoke. And as the breeze blew across 
the battle-field, the smoke lifted, disclosing the columns of 
gray reeling in defeat and repulse. It has always seemed 
strange to the writer that Hooker did not, after he had been 
defeated around Chancellorsville, re-enforce the Sixth Corps 
with thirty thousand men, whicli he could have done as well 
as not, and have held the Heights and advanced position of 
Sedgwick, which would have compelled Lee to retreat 
beyond Spottsylvania Court-House, or across Hooker's front 
with Jackson's forces towards Orange Court-House; but such 
an idea seems to have never entered liis mind. After letting 
the fruits of the best strategic move in the war slip through 
his fnigers, he drew himself back into a tangled forest, where 
he lould not deploy his men, by this move letting his enemy 
obtain the advantage of striking and massing against him at 
any point on his line at leisure. His cavalry was utterly 



134 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

useless. Instead of utilizing it as a screen and covering- 
force, he sent it off on a wild-goose chase, to operate upon 
Lee's communications. If he had had ten thousand of his 
cavalry with him, he would have cleared the Wilderness, and 
Lee must have retreated behind the Annas. So much for 
criticism. But as I recall the thousands of the Sixth Corps 
who lay wounded, or silent in death, even at this late day 
I find no excuse for Hooker except in the belief of his lack 
of efficiency in handling large masses of troops in close con- 
test with the enemy. The poor Eleventh Corps has been 
Hooker's scape-goat long enough. Let us put the blame 
where it belongs, which, summed up, is, weakness in general- 
ship at the vital point of great combinations, and tne lack 
of generalship to seize opportunities as they arise. Night 
closed the fight at Salem Church ; and as soon as it became 
dusk, the Sixth Corps took up its line of retreat by Banks's 
Ford, Gen. Benham having by his foresight constructed 
two or three fine bridges at that point to facilitate the 
crossing of the Sixth Corps on its retrograde movement. 
Thus ended Hooker's grand campaign across the Rappahan- 
nock. That which had been inaugurated with every prospect 
of success, and a glorious victory to the Union arms, ended 
in disaster, gloom, and a crushing defeat, but with this advan- 
tage over Burnside's campaign, that, while we were defeated, 
and had received heavy blows, losing some seventeen thou- 
sand men, we had given Lee's army many a damaging blow in 
return, as his loss of twelve thousand men attested. After 
resting three days on the banks of the river, we took up 
our line of march back to our old camp, at White-Oak 
Church. 

The regiment remained in camp until June 6, when they 
once more took up the line of march to the Rappahannock 
River, crossing at Franklin's old crossing, where they were 
thrown to the front on picket. Col. Johns having been 
wounded, Lieut.-Col. Harlow was in command of the regi- 
ment ; and after his brilliant services at Mayre's and Salem 




ZHl'.A F. 15LISS, 

Captain Co. " l-\" 



:\[()VEMENT OF (JEN. HOOKER. 135 

Heij^hts, the boys felt the utmost confidence in his courage, 
fidelity, and military capacity, he having shown himself a 
very cool and splendid officer in action. Of the officers 
wounded in the recent battles, Capt. Zebe F. Bliss showed 
great ability, cool and efficient under fire, firm and stead- 
fast to duty ; Capt. Hiram A. Oakman won golden opinions 
of Company E for his bravery and zeal ; whilst Company 
I was called upon to mourn that gallant and brilliant 
officer, Prentiss M. Whitney, beloved by all. He met his 
fate with a stern resignation, begotten of a high and lofty 
patriotism, having had a presentiment of coming death, 
of Avhich he had spoken to his comrades-in-arms. But by 
such men was the old Army of the Potomac led and 
directed, the ripened fruit of Liberty's educational systems, 
the vintage of our Northern civilization. June 11 we were 
relieved, and fell back to the banks of the river ; June 13 
recrossed, and bivouacked half a mile from the river. A 
campaign was now inaugurated by Gen. Lee, which was 
to finally terminate in his complete defeat among the hills 
of the State of Pennsylvania. In the histories published 
of that able general, it is said, that, after consultation 
with the War Department at Richmond, he determined 
to invade the North as a counterpoint to Grant's move on 
Vicksburg. But, alas for rebel dreams I it resulted in the 
most decisive defeat he ever received ; and from the slopes of 
Cemetery Ridge, no doubt visions of Appomattox broke in 
upon his bitter reveries. The rebel army at this time was, no 
doubt, the strongest military organization on this continent. 
Under firm discipline, the veterans of many fields of battle, 
officered by graduates of West Point and the Southern mil- 
itary academies, it was a foe worthy the steel of any army 
that ever was organized ; and surely the historian must give 
the old Army of the Potomac adequate praise that it should 
have met and defeated its old antagonist, after the disasters of 
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. But, as time elapses, it is 
apparent to the military student that Gen. Lee overrated the 



136 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

effect of the defeats the Federal Army had sustained, he 
not realizing the great moral reserve force of the Northern 
volunteer, which sustained him in defeat and disaster the 
same as in victory. 




^^^^^^S^^\,^,^ 



FRANKLIN P. HARLOW 
Lieutenant Colonel. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

LETTER FROM GEN. NEWTON, — WALTER S. GOSS. — MOVEMENT ON 
GETTTSBUKG. 

HAVING received a letter from one of the committee in 
relation to the previous services of the regiment, I shall 
take the liberty to insert it before trying to record the hard- 
ships, the fatigues and dangers, of the Gett^'sburg campaign, 
in which remarkable operations every regiment of the brigade 
and corps bore a conspicuous part. It was published in " The 
Boston Journal " of that year and date, and relates, as may be 
seen, to tlie operations in what is termed the Cliancellorsville 
campaign. 

Headquauteks Thiud Divisrox, Sixth Army Cdkp*. 

Office of AruLTANT-GENEHAL, May 15, isij:?. 

To I lis EXCELLEXCY JOHX A. AXDREW, GOVERNOR MASSACHUSETTS. 

Sir, — Permit rae to call your attention to the excellent conduct of the 
Massachusetts regiments under my command during the late operations 
of the Sixth Corps. The Seventh Massachusetts stormed the Heights of 
Fredericksburg in column, without firing a shot, and suffered severely. 
To Lieut. -Col. F. P. Harlow, who commanded the regiment after the 
wounding of Col. Johns, I mainly attribute this fortunate result. Col. 
Harlow proved himself a hero. As this was a charge not exceeded in 
brilliancy and daring by any operation of the war, the Seventh ought to 
receive adequate praise. The Tenth and Thirty-seventh, although under 
fire in Fredericksburg on the morning of May 3, rendered their principal 
services in the afternoon and tiie following day at Salem Heights. Their 
coolness under fire, and admirable discipline, merit the wannest acknowl- 
edgments. The Tenth was under the command of >rajor Parker during 
the most important period of their operations. Col. UTT^j. Eustis having 
command of the brigade. 



138 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER IXFANTEY. 

The conduct of all these regiments at such ci'itical juncture has been 
an ample return for all care bestowed by your Excellency and the State 
upon their organization and discipline. 

I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 

John Newtox, Major- General. 

Having also received another contribution from W. S. 
Goss of Company A, I take great pleasure in having it 
inse rted as a very essential contribution to the history of the 
Chancellorsville campaign. 

" The Army of the Potomac lay fronting the enemy, who 
were intrenched on the hills at the rear of Fredericksburg, 
while the muddy waters of the Rappahannock rolled between. 
This army, under the lead of bad generalship, had won sev- 
eral gallant defeats. The most of us had been through the 
not very enviable discipline of the Peninsula campaign ; had 
sounded the depths of its mud, its swamps, and its fruitless 
victories ; had struggled with Pope at the second Bull Run 
disaster, and successfully resisted the invading horde at An- 
tietam. Again that devoted army, full of the fighting spirit, 
had it a general to lead it, was surging against the bristling, 
thundering heights of Fredericksburg, only to be swept back, 
broken and bleeding, as the effect of its ill-advised, wasted 
energies. Then came the renowned Burnside 'mud march ' 
that upset the gravity of the army, and at which mud-be- 
draggled officers and men poked fun because of its ludicrous 
situations. Never before had that arm}^ even in the face of 
defeat, fallen back in a more demoralized condition. The 
brave and valiant Burnside was looked upon with distrust 
as a commander, and there is no doubt he retired from his 
command with a feeling of relief that bordered on the frayed 
edge of disgust. The retirement of Burnside brought ' Fight- 
ing Joe Hooker' to the front as commander; and the army 
now expected lively business, and ' lovely fighting all along 
the line.' Gen. Hooker's first business appeared to be with 
the Commissary Department. 



AVALTKl; S. GORS. 139 

" He was a firm believer in the doctrine of good food and 
plenty of it. It is doubtful whether there was ever an army 
so well fed as was Hooker's during those weeks previous to his 
ill-fated move on the enemy's left flaidc. The thickly wooded 
hills where first lurked the hidden army were soon laid bare 
by the sturdy blows of these Northern pioneers. Even the 
limbs and brush, which at first were discarded, soon disap- 
peared through the necessities of this denizen horde who had 
pre-empted the land of the F. F. Vs. With the early days 
of spring the chips began to fly from the standing stumps, 
and they disappeared like a ' presto, change ' performance. 
While we were beginning to wonder where our wood for 
cooking purposes was to come from, the solution came in 
the form of an order for each soldier to draw ten days' rations 
of salt pork and hard-tacks. These were the regulation cam- 
paign rations, interspersed at intervals by fresh beef from 
the drove of scrawny-looking cattle which followed the army 
afar off afoot. These beeves obtained a certain hardened 
toughness by their army discipline, and the masticators there- 
of had a realizing sense of its toughness. They called it 
mule-meat. In the field each man was his own cook ; so the 
animal was divided from neck to rump into small slices, 
which were all passed off as steak. But there was a remote 
suspicion abroad in the ranks that rump and sirloin did not 
fall so low in rank as to honor tlu-ir 1)111 of lure by their 
presence. These fancy cuts of steak were usually cooked 
by being affixed at the bayonet's point, or on a forked stick, 
and broiled over a fire. They were well seasoned with smoke 
or ashes, as best suited the tastes or mishaps of the man at 
the other end of the implement. But the patriotic North was 
getting nervous over the protracted supineness of the army ; 
and the valiant and intrepid editorial staff of the Union jour- 
nals were shedding gallons of ink in- the heroic interrogatory, 
' Why doesn't the arm}- move ? ' 

"Campaigning on paper may be a pleasurable occupation ; 
but when it has to be written in mud, it is of the vice versa 



140 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUXTEEP. INFANTRY. 

pattern, in view of which we privates were willing to supine 
some more, and the commander appeared to second the mo- 
tion, notwithstanding editorial inquisitiveness, and the press- 
ure of red-tape strategists at Washington. 

" But as the days of April were fading out of the calendar 
of 1863, we packed our little ten days' rations of salt pork, 
coffee, and sugar in our haversacks, chinking in the extra 
space with the typical parallelogrammatic ' hard-tacks,' 
which still left a surplus to be stowed away in our knap- 
sacks. The inner man looked after, then came the ammuni- 
tion : one hundred rounds in cartridge-box and pockets are 
the rations provided for the enemy, provided we can get 
them there. 

" Our old soldier-homes, which had been fitted up with an 
eye to comfort, were dismantled, for ' Pack up and fall in ' 
was the order, ' Forward, march ! ' the command. With 
head of column faced enemyward, we again entered upon a 
season's campaign, prepared to strike another blow for na- 
tional unity ; to write one more livid page of our nation's 
history. 

" The 30th of April found us again on the banks of the 
Rappahannock, near Franklin Crossing, where once before we 
had so bravely passed over, but had come back again like 
unfledged heroes. Here we staid for three days. There 
were three corps below Falmouth ; but they were gradually' 
drawn away, up river, by Gen. Hooker, to participate in this 
grand movement, the climax of which was not illustrated 
with a great display of grandeur. 

" On the evening of May 1 we were drawn up in line, 
and listened with rapt attention to a general order setting 
forth the ' splendid achievements of the Fifth Corps,' and 
supposed by its tenor that the rebellion had received a para- 
lytic shock by some subtle stroke of strategy while we were 
not there to see. As the other corps left us, we were or- 
dered to stretch out and cover the ground of two corps. So 
to keep up the simulation, and to lighten our loads, we 



<»N TO GKTTVSI'.UIU;. 1-il 

charged on tlie ten days' rations, and mustered them out of 
the service as rapidly as possible. But of little avail were 
our efforts in that direction, for three days' rations more 
were added to condone the wastage. 

" Before crossing over the river, the regiment that was hon- 
ored by my presence was paid off for four months' service. 
The paymaster, who had been over a week paying the rest 
of the brigade, paid off this regiment in less than two hours. 
The closing of accounts was celebrated by the Johnnies 
popping shells over at us during this monetary crisis ; and the 
non-combatants who carried the sinews of war that rejoiced 
the soldier's and sutler's heart, were anxious to clear us from 
their books, that they might seek a peaceful solitude in tlie 
distant rear. 

"On May 2, as the setting sun was bidding its last good- 
night to many of our numbers, we were in line on the river's 
brink ready to cross over. Away in the distance we hear 
a faint rebel yell : down their line it travels, increasing in 
volume until it comes from our immediate front witli a dis- 
tinctness that is bewildering to us, because ignorant of its 
import. While the yell was at its height, an officer rode 
along the line, shouting, ' Cheer, men ! cheer, every mother's 
son of you!' So we set up a hurrah with all the power of 
healthy lungs, and discounted the rebels at their own game. 
But they had good cause to cry aloud with joy; for the news 
that came down their lines was of the dire defeat that had 
overtaken Howard's corps, shattering it, and mobilizing it 
into a disorganized rabble. But that news was not to be 
made known to us through any bombastic general order. 

"As the shades of evening settled down upon the murky 
waters of the river, we crossed over the pontoon bridge, and 
commenced a series of spasmodic hitches towards Fredericks- 
burg, by going a few steps, and tlien sitting down to think 
it over, the reason of which was unknown to us until near 
morning, when we found that we were simply following up 
skirmishers who were feeling tlii'ir way tin-ough the darkness 



142 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

into the town, the first intimation of which was the discovery 
of the wounded who had fallen out by the way. 

" We had a jolly Irishman in our company, who, during the 
night, was suddenly stricken with what was termed in the 
army as moon-blindness. While fording a run, he became 
dazed, and exclaimed, 'Byes, if yez wants me to help yez 
fight, yez will have to lade me I ' So he was piloted through un- 
til daylight, and helped on the fight that day; was wounded; 
and, when I saw him afterwards in the army hospital, the 
surgeons had him blistered just abaft each ear, — 'For the 
eyes of me,' he said ; but what sympathetic cords connect 
the bumps of combativeness with the sense of vision, I have 
never been able to gather up science enough to solve, ex- 
cept that the aforesaid bumps may be promoters of fistic 
encounters. 

" As the rising sun ushered in that beautiful and quiet new- 
born sabbath morn, gilding the murderous hill-top with a 
glory that spoke to the soul of man, not of fratricide carnage, 
but of a peaceful calm, we were entering the town through 
a cut that hid us from the view of the enemy ; but our tell- 
tale bayonets glistening in the sunshine attracted their atten- 
tion. With malicious intent, and an emphasis that was 
startling, they plunged their solid shot in unhealthy prox- 
imity to our heads. A numbness began to creep over me, 
and I saved myself from falling by clinging to a comrade 
while I called for water. A lieutenant brought me a can- 
teen, and inquired the whereof of my faintness. I told him, 
' I was scared, I guess.' — ' Oh ! I guess not,' said he ; and 
I have tried to 'guess not' ever since, as it was the only 
time I ever felt faint under fire: although 'scared' does 
not begin to express the feelings of a fellow when he jolunges 
into a fight while all the time he is striving to look brave 
and unconcerned ; yet oft his nonchalance partakes of the 
ludicrous. 

" From among many instances that I have seen, I will note 
the followino' : At the first battle of Fredericksburs: we were 



ON TO GKTTY.SIUKG. 143 

lying- under a terrific fire of bursting shells, when the brigade 
general cried out, ' For God's sake, colonel, move your men 
forward out of that murderous range !' We moved forward 
amid the boom of bursting shells ; and as T glanced along the 
line, I noticed that every man's head (but mine) was bowed to 
earth. A tall, thin corporal, who was in advance of the 
line, I noticed particularly, because of the crookedness of his 
outline, his long nose near to earth, apparently on the prin- 
ciple of ' root hog or die.' I afterwards heard him laughing 
at the reverent attitude of the rest of the line, while he 
boasted of the perpendicularity of himself. 

"In the town we take position behind a church on a corner- 
street. Our crowd is not feeling remarkably hilarious, for 
they know that there is a solemn work ahead of them, and 
that many of those who watched the rising sun will never 
more witness its setting. 

"On the open space where the streets intersect are Gens. 
Sedgwick and Newton with their staff-officers. The enemy are 
sending shells down the street, and a piece of artillery in front 
of the staff-officers returns the compliment. A fine-looking 
aged matron, whose brick mansion is in range of rebel fire, 
comes out and accosts Sedgwick with, ' General, I wish you 
would remove that gun : you are drawing fire right on my 
house.' To which the sturdy general replied, ' Well, madam, 
if you are afraid, you had better go down cellar." The fore- 
noon of the day is wearing away, and still we lay nibbling 
hard-tack, waiting for orders to move. At length Gen. Sedg- 
wick came and looked us over with a solemn expression which 
seemed to say, 'There will be a thinning out in your ranks 
very soon ; at least, that is what I read in his countenance. 
Without uttering a word, he turned on liis heel, and walked 
away. Then the order came to pile up knapsacks ; and soon 
w • were in line as the head of one of the storming columns 
which were to assail Mayre"s Heights, the famous 'stone 
walls' being our objective point. 

"At eleven o'clock we lead off, the 'riiirtv-sixth New York 



14-1: SEVEXTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

followiDg close in our rear. The last cautionary word is passed 
along the line by officers, 'Don't fire a gun, whatever the 
provocation, but give them the cold steel.' Onward and up 
the street we go at a slow, steady tramp, with arms 'right 
shoulder shift,' while our artillery at the rear were smashing 
shells through the houses ahead, to drive out rebel sharp- 
shooters. An ominous silence prevails all along the enemy's 
line : they are biding their time, as we go marching ' into the 
jaws of death, into the mouth of hell.' We are nearing 
their earth-works, and are beginning to know how a man feels 
when he looks into the mouths of cannon. Right ahead is 
the first line of works in the form of rifle-pits. The occu- 
pants appear to be asleep, as they do not greet us with a 
single complimentary shot. 

"They were expecting that the column would deploy into 
the field on their front, so a prisoner told me after ; but the 
street was cut through the abrupt hill for an easy grade, so 
that for a space we were lost to their view, and, to their utter 
astonishment and discomfiture, the head of our column popped 
out to the rear of them. Then there was a scrambling among 
the Jolmnies, several throwing down their arms; and they all 
scuttled for cover behind their more formidable breast-works, 
while we howled at them, ' Hurry up. Johnnies ! go it, gray- 
backs ; ' and other like endearing epithets until they were 
lost to view. There is a solemn silence for a moment, then 
the storm of battle burst upon us with all its withering fury. 
Our long column, that like a thin wedge was penetrating the 
enemy's centre, has become entangled in the vortex of an 
enfilading fire. There is the music of missiles filling the air ; 
the swoop and screams of shells ; the sharp, piping -ping of 
canister; the zip, zip, zip, of minies, — all singing the choral 
of death. From the front, from tlie right and from the 
left of us, came the swift messengers on their errands of 
hate. 

" In a moment five files at the head of the column are mown 
down by one swift stroke, and the whole length of the line is 



WALTER S. GOSS. l^O 

shattered ;ind gory. Two comrades in the tile with me are 
stricken down, and the man behind covering me is sent to 
the earth by a ball crashing throngh his brain ; he brushes 
me as he socs down : 1 turn and glance at his prostrate 
lormi then pass on again. The head of the line is stagger- 
inir under its heavy load, while the rear is pushing to the 
front. I notice a lieutenant up ahead urging" on his men, 
when a missile strikes him down. He scrambles to his feet, 
waves his sword, shouting, 'Forward, boys !' and is again 
felled to the earth, never niore to rise. A long limbed 
youth grasps his gun by the tail-band, steps from the ranks, 
waviniTit aloft, and heroically shouts above the battle's din, 
'Come" on, boys, they can't lick us !' Just then he is stricken 
in the les by a bullet, and fell, his courage quickly flowing 
from an ugly wound. A shell made a dip at our colors and 
exploded as"it struck its azure tield, and it was no longer a 
starry banner, but a hole with a rag around it! It now 
rests in Doric Hall, beneath the gilded dome, a memento of 
the vicissitudes of Southern storms. 

''We are showing an inclination to push ahead, seeing 

which, the colonel came to us saying, 'That's right, boys.' 

I was oeiting in a hurry to have the job through with, so 

we suggested to the colonel that he give us the order 

'double^'quick.' He swung his sword over his head, 

shouted 'Foiward !' and very soon was stricken down by a 

rebel ballet, severely wounded in the leg, and was taken to 

the i-ear by some of our boys. C(Micluding I was needed 

at the front, I left the colonel to his fate, and joined forces 

with the color-sergeant of the Thirty-sixth New York, 

who had a tit of heroism, and came up shouting, 'Come 

on, boys, let us take the Heights!' I had got all over 

wanting the Heights, Init I was willing to help him get 

them if he had any particular use for them, so I told him 

1 would go color-guard with him. 'Well, come quickly," 

said he, and away we started, ))ut had not advanced more 



146 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

than two or three rods, when down went the hrave sergeant, 
colors and all, dead. Then I discovered that we were 
making that charge alone, and to the left of the main line 
of advance. 

"Looking over in the field on our left, I saw the Sixth 
Maine making one of their famous charges in line of l^attle. 
Their men were dropping fast, but they drew fire and re- 
lieved some of the pressure upon the main colunm of attack, 
which came up under the command of Lieut-Col. IJarlow. 
With a rush we sweep through the rebel lines, and they 
break to the rear with a rush, in squads and singly. The 
Seventh Massachusetts takes two brass cannon from the 
famous Washington Artillery, with prisoners, which are sent 
to the rear. This fearful chaige, which seemed tc> me to 
have occupied over an hour of time, was in fact but of a few 
minutes duration. The Heights were won, and our tattered 
banner was planted on the parapet of one; of the forts. 
After a short rest the brigade was formed in line, and ad- 
vanced in pursuit of the enemy, towards Salem Heights, 
where in the afternoon he was met in force, having been 
heavily reinforced from Lee's main army, where a very 
severe tight took place. Early in this fight 1 received a 
wound in the leg by a bullet, which necessitated my retire- 
ment, with numerous lests, in the direction of Fredericks- 
burg, faint and sore, where my sinking spirits and fast 
oozing strength was stimulated by copious 'swigs' 
of brandy from a canteen furnished by a member of the 
'Christian Commission.' I remember that valuable adjunct 
of the army with grateful reverence, notwithstanding their 
persistence in deluging me with a plethora of religious 
tracts while I for weeks lay prone upon an army hospital cot. 
Li my rearward flight I threw away my haversack with all its 
stores of provisions, ai-ound which had clustered the hopes 
and fears of previous days, and found my knapsack, to 
which I clung with the tenacity of a householder. All the 



WAT.TKK S. GOSS. 147 

wouiidrd that wrro al)lo to irot tluMV, lay in Fi'cdorickslmru: 
that night, and wIkmi morning dnwucd a glance in that direi-- 
tion revealed the fact that the enemy were jnaking prepara- 
tions to reta.ke the Heights, from the direction of the Tei- 
egraj)h road. They soon reoccnpied their old positions in 
rear of the city. Hooker, who had shown a lack of that 
tenacity so much needed in a leader, had allowed Lee to 
throw his forces upon Sedgwick, nearly surrounding hiiu, 
and had left him to cut his way out as best he could, which 
he did, l)ut at a fearful saci'ifiee of men. 

"In Fredericksburg the sui-geons were hastily loading the 
ambulances with those who were unable to walk, whilst all 
who could hobble along were left to the tender mercies and 
solicitudes of themselves. I set out on my journey Avith a 
heavy heart and a heavier leg. I conmienced my pilgrim- 
age with a long stafl' clutched in l)otli hands, and carried in 
front of me as a lever to pull myself along. My knai)sack 
trailed at the rear, dragging on the ground, a strap being 
hooked to my belt. There was a bridge across the river 
at Fredei'icksburg, and over this bridge of boats I started 
to cross. A train of aml)ulances came thundering over, and 
their jolt and jar wei-e beyond 013' powers of endurance, so I 
crawled into a pontoon boat and dangled my legs in the wa- 
ter, which })roved a great relief to me from the excruciating 
pain caused by their ceaseless jar on the bridge. There I sat 
unt il the })rocession had passed over, when I again started from 
the debatable ground, which I was anxious the river should 
sepaiate nu' from. It was with feelings of relief that I 
struck what appeared to nu' as solid Union territory beyond 
all debate, and sat myself down on the friendly knap>ack, 
when a major of artillery cauie along, and told me not to 
stop there. I ex[)()stulated with him, telling him that I was 
unable to go another step, whicii I shortly proved to be a 
mistake, for he inlbnucd me that they were expecting an 
attack on the bridge, and all thev had to defend it was one 



148 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

regiment of infantry and his l)attcrv ; addino; : 'Yon do not 
want to get hit again, so yon had better get over the hiU.' 
I got there in time. Over the hill I fonnd a large com[)any 
of wounded, and here I had a good rest. Soon a mounted 
orderly rode into our midst and said : 'It is the general's 
order that you goto Falmouth Station, where you will be 
taken away b}' ears.' The news was encouraging, but the 
tramp discouraging. I asked him how far it was, and 
was informed that it was less than a mile. There was 
misery in every inch of that mile, and I did not share 
it alone. It took nearly four hours to cover that dis- 
tance, and I covered it more by sitting than I did by 
walking. 

"At Falmouth Station we were tinally put in box cais 
with liberal carpets of straw, and taken a few miles to 
Potomac Creek. On arriving at the landing, several of the 
men had completely l)roken down, and were carried to 
the hospital tents on stretchers. A kind-hearted settler 
ottered his services with his team to transport those 
unable to walk. Three of us were laid on the straw 
in the bottom of his hard spring vehicle, and the carting 
commenced. We struck a road I)uilt of logs, and, oh ! 
misery of miseries ! such rolling, such i)itching, such 
tossino; to and fro over and under each other. And 
ungrateful wretches that we were, we cursed the driver, 
begging him to let us get out and crawl. He sto[)ped 
his team, and with sympathetic tears dimming his e^-es, 
told us he was doing the best he could, and that it was but 
a little farther anyway. So not to hurt his feelings, though 
he did not seem to spare ours, we suppressed our grief and 
remained as quiet as circumstances would permit. I know 
not how long that ride was, but a life-tiiue of woe seemed 
to be concentrated therein, and as long as life lasts will the 
vital remembrance of its tortures arise in my mind as it 
reverts to Hooker's movements around Chancellorsville, 



MOVEMENT ON CETTYSIJURO. 141t 

;uul his ooiu'ious donation of ten days" rations to the aiiny 
under his t'oniniand."" 

'Vho. reainiental narrative ffivos the followinir record of 
the marches of the re<jcinient in the niovenient on Gettys- 
l.uro-. 

June 11, Avas relieved and fell l)ack to the hank of the 
river, where the regiment furnished its proper (pi<;ta of 
men to help fortify a line of defence drawn from near Hazel 
Kun to near the Bernard house, touching the river on either 
tlank. rinne 18, during the night, we recrossed and 
bivouacked one-half mile from the river. The intention of 
the enemy having been fathomed, the movements of the 
regiment and army, as now related, is a record of the 
most severe marching the regiment was ever called upon to 
endure in all its service. Lee had begun his grand inva- 
■-ion, and Hooker had commenced his masterly moves to 
checkmate him. June 14, marched ten miles to StaHbrd 
('ourt House ; June 15, marched fifteen miles to Dumfries ; 
June 1(), marched fifteen miles to Fairfax Court House; 
June 24, marched five miles to Centerville. The regiment 
was vi'ry much exhausted on this march; it was rain, and 
nnid, and sunshin.e, with a sultry and depressing heat. The 
roads were simply (piag-mires of mud, and choked to al- 
most imi)assal)ility by the huge trains of siege guns ot" the 
reserve artillery and wagon trains. 

But Lee is away to the North, marching with untiring 
energy on to the consummation of his dreams in the iV'rtile 
plains of Pi'unsNlvania, with its fields of grain and stoek of 
cattle and horses, a rich field for the Rebel hordes, who 
hardly ever tasted the sweet wheaten bread of our Northern 
States. June 2(5, marched twenty-two miles to Draines- 
ville : fJune 27, marched thirteen miles, crossing the Poto- 
mac at Kdward.s' Ferry, and bivouacked two miles from the 
rivir near Poolsville, .Md. June 2S, marched twenty-live 
miles to near New Market, Md. : June 21I, marched twentv- 



150 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

three miles and bivouacked in the woods. These last few 
days had been so trying that it was alisolutely necessary to 
rest the men. Tramping twenty miles a day is great march- 
ing in cool weather over our difficult roads, I)ut in the midst 
of a hot and sultry sun^mer it is remarkable how the North- 
ern boys stood the severe tax upon their vitality, with 
nothing but disaster to cheer them on. Frowned upon by 
the authorities at Washington, they knew better than their 
harsh critics the valor and endurance hid under their 
misfortunes, caused mostly by the same government which 
so coldly frowned upon their commanders and men. June 
30, marched twenty miles to Manchester; July 1, marched 
all night and until about 4 o'clock p. m. of July 2, making 
thirty-seven miles, when we arrived on the battle-field of 
Gettysburg, where we rested and filled canteens with water 
from Rt)ck creek. 

But while on this long and arduous march, Gen. Hooker 
had been relieved, and Gen. George G. Meade had been 
given the command of the army. A conscientious and ca- 
pable officer, who had fulfilled every trust heretofore laid 
upon him. When called upon to take command of the 
Army of the Potomac he was in command of the Fifth 
Cori)S, had given no promise of superior generalship, but had 
attended strictly to his duties while in the field. Gen. 
Hooker, whom he relieved, was a very able officer for cer- 
tain duties, but had not the broad and massive qualities of 
mind so necessary to successfully command a large army, 
as had his successor. 

By great good fortune, the selection of Gen. Meade was 
the most fortunate move the powers at Washington had 
made in all its satanic meddling with the Army of the 
Potomac. And under Gods kindly providence, Hal- 
leck"s and Stanton's selection proved beneficial to the 
army, though not by any superior judgment on their 
part, but by the intrinsic worth of the man whom they 




iii;.\R\ i;. K.w. 

Sfiwam Co. •• A." 



OEN. MEADE IN COMMANM). 151 

had clioscn to exporinicnt with while in the face of the 
oneiny. 

Lee had humolicd his eoltinins with great procisioii into 
the fertile valleys of l*eiinsyivaiiia : had iiK^t hut little 
oj^position from the inettieieiit militia of the State under the 
•gallant Coiieh, who commanded the Department of the Sus- 
(piehanna. Meade, as soon as he took command, moved 
pr()mi)tly to the rescue, and gave orders foi- concentration 
on the Pipe Creek line. 

But providence ordered that this battle should l>e fought 
by the great armies on lines forced upon them by circum- 
stances. Reynolds pressing forward with the First Coi'ps, 
in sup[K)rt of the cavalry under l^uford, sti'uck the advance 
guard of Hill's forces, who were advancing u|)on Gettys- 
burg as their point of concentration. Gen. Lee having 
learned of the change of commanders, and being afraid that 
his line of communication would l)e broken, had ho[)ed to 
take up a position where the Army of the Potomac would 
have to attack him, but ere he could concentrate his army 
he met the noble IJeynoids rushing on to avenge the inva- 
sion of his native State. And on the banks of \\'illoughby 
Kun was oi)ened the battle that was to decide the fate of 
the Union. 

The tirst jjart of the battle was favorable to the Confed- 
erates Gen. Reynolds was killed : the First Corps sutlered 
very severely, and the Eleventh which had come up !<• sup- 
port them, had been very severely defeated later in the 
day. with the First, when overpowered by the onward iiish 
of EwelPs Corps on the Cashville Pike. Keynolds was 
killed early in the tight, and the command of the coips wa> 
assumed by Gen. Abner Doubleday, when they pertornitMl 
herculean etibrts and then only retreated slowly and in go<»d 
order to Cemetery Hill. And now the great bnttle is on : 
the Second Corps is coming up; Howard and Hancock are 
a host in themselves: and bv S> (.'clock r. m., the I'liion 



152 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

lines were firmly established to await the iiiighly crash of 
the victorious foe the next day. But succor is at hand. 
The Twelfth, Fifth and Sixth Corps are rushing on to the 
rescue, and the Kebel hosts arc to be hurled back, broken 
and dismayed, by the brave old Army of the Potomac, — 
the loyal and true ! 

The battle of Gettysburg was no doubt the high-water 
mark of the reliellious efforts to disrupt the Union ; in fact, the 
decisive battle of the war. Lee, with his eighty thousand 
veteran infantry and cavalry as the sum total of his forces 
across the Potomac, suffered his most disastrous defeat in this 
battle at the hands of the Federal Army, since he had been 
so roughly handled by McClelhm at South Mountain and 
Antietam. TJiough the Seventh Massachusetts was not 
called upon to offer up a large list of brave men to the 
moloch of war, still they had marched and suffered as few 
were called upon to suffer. Through heat and dust, rain 
and mud, they had marched over one hundred and sixty 
miles. And then, when nature seemingly could do no more, 
the regiment with the brave men of the Sixth Corps made 
a march of almost unparalleled swiftness to help its hard 
pressed comrades upon the blood-stained heights of Gettys- 
burg. How those lono-, hot marches still call up a thrill 
from the old soldier, as he recalls to mind the hunger and 
thirst, the heat, the want of rest, the blistered feet, the stiff 
joints, as morning after morning the early bugle roused 
him from his slumbers, to still press on and find the fleet- 
footed enemy. 

The march to the battle-field of Gettysburg was of a most 
exhausting nature. The Sixth Corps had been thrown out 
to the north and east to protect and cover the strategic 
points leading to Baltimore, and was more than thirty miles 
from the main body of the army. After marching all day 
in the broiling sun, the tired soldiers of the Sixth Corps 
had filed into a level field to rest and encamp for the night. 



GENERAL SEDGWICK. lo3 

Gen. Sedirwick had pitched hoa(h]iiarter tents and had jjre- 
])ared to spend the niuht at this place. As Newton's divis- 
ion tiled in, the general said, "Put your division right in 
here, general ; we rest here to-night." Rut hark I do von 
not hear the clatter of hoofs on the Baltimore Pike? And 
soon a courier, his horse covered with sweat, foam and 
dust, his original color unrecognizable, gallops up and 
gives an order to the gallant Sedgwick, who hastily opens 
and reads it. Soon the bugle sounds out on the evenino" air 
the "Assembly," and orders are given to "Fall in." The 
long and almost incomparable march has begun — and 
a night-march ! Who of my readers have not known its 
irksomeness, its exhausting etfect, the sudden halt, then the 
quick step to the "close column," then the rest for a mo- 
ment, then the rising up half asleep, and stifi' in every 
muscle ? But on the column goes, with darkness to hide 
the pall of dust which choked the men, tilling eyes and 
ears, n)outh and nostrils, with its blinding and irritating 
etfects. And as the weary men press on, what tidings 
have reached them ! The First Corps is in, and all cut to 
pieces ; Reynolds is killed ; the P^leventh Corps is smashed ; 
and so far, our Army of the Potomac has been whipped. 
Then the stern orders, "Close up! Close up!" On they 
rush; it is past twelve o'clock, midnight; word is sent 
back for our help. Boys, do your best. We must reach 
the field ; the brave old army needs you. And so they 
stagger on ; "having missed the way in the tirst i)Mit of the 
night, they were called to make an unnecessary march of 
eight miles, which many historians will fail to relate as they 
speak of the battle in general terms."' Through the suffo- 
cating heat and dust — streams of water adding to the 
misery of blistered feet — the perspiration starting from 
every pore and dropping from their Wu-vs. And still the 
stern orders, "Close U[) ! Close up I' The gray dau n i> 

2 



154 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

breaking, and on they rush a little faster. They have 
reached a point on the march when every few moments the 
sullen boom of cannon reaches the ears, not to dishearten, 
but nerving to stronger efforts. A short rest is taken ; the 
order is given to make coifce, but before the water is hardly 
warm in the many dishes the bugle rings out its clarion notes 
of the "Assembly," and the half-boiled coffee is hastily 
poured into the soldiers' canteens, to be their only nourish- 
ment for the day. The morning comes and goes ; the sun 
is pouring down its scorching rays as it climbs the eastern 
horizon. But there is no let-up to the march. It is on ! 
on ! on ! Noon has passed. The column still is in motion, 
its leader still pressing on for the battle-field, as his soldier 
heart knows how great the responsibility resting upon him. 
This corps is the largest and strongest in the army, and he 
fully knows how much may depend upon its timely arrival. 
High noon is past; the sun is slowly sinking down the 
western sky, when the roar of battle shakes the earth. 

Longstreet is opening the ball; his long lines are moving 
like an avalanche to strike the Third Corps in its exposed 
position, because Gen. Meade had not men enough to hold 
the line which Sickles had obtained. But the Third Corps 
was not to be driven from its position until Longstreet had 
received such punishment that iii the terrific charge of 
Pickett's division on the third day of battle his corps was 
so surfeited with blood and carnage it gave but poor sup- 
port to the gallant Pickett. As the sun had begun to throw 
its long rays to the east, the corps and regiment reached 
Eock Creek, to the right rear of our army. The welcome 
sound was heard to "rest," and men were sent to fill their 
canteens in Rock Creek. But word soon comes, "We are 
hard pressed upon the left ; send your best division to sup- 
port the noble Fifth Corps and what is left of the Third 
and Second." For the "Devil's Pen" had been a den where 
the reaper, Peath, had put in his sharpened sickle with 



EUSTIS BKIGADE. 1,')5 

intense lust and vengeance. As the tired divisions of the 
Sixth Corps were resting in column by l)rigade, there came 
word from our beloved commander, Sedgwick, "Tell Gen- 
eral Eustis to bring his brigade to the front at once." 
Almost as by magic they spring to their feet with a cheer 
upon their lips. These tired, hungry, foot-sore men spring 
forward at the word of command, and swing into line on 
the double-quick. Readers and friends, can pen say more? 
After marching over forty miles through clouds of dust, 
through streams of water, and over rocky road beds, in a 
dark and sultry July night, stifling and depressing, they 
spring forward at the word with all their ancient vigor and 
zeal, ready to dare and die. As General Longstreet, in his 
Century article upon the battle of Gettysburg, says, "Pre- 
paring for another attack upon the Union lines, I rode for- 
ward to the front of our position ; but seeing the enemy 
rapidly forming new lines of battle with fresh troops, I 
thought it prudent to desist from attack until our lines had 
been re-formed and were more compact, having suftered 
very severely in the assaults delivered upon the Union 
lines." Yes, there they stood, the brigades of the Second 
division of the Sixth Corps, of which the Seventh Massachu- 
setts formed a part, firm, resolute, with not tifty stragglers 
in the whole number, read\'^ to die for the maintenance of 
our institutions and for the repulse of the hosts of treason. 
If Longstreet had organized his forces, and the Sixth 
Corps had been away to the rear, and yet upon the march, 
with the Third Corps shattered, Round Top torn from our 
grasp, and our whole line in retreat and broken, we leave 
the intelligent reader to judge of the results. No mure rapid 
and indomitable march is recorded in any war. It ranks 
with Stonewall Jackson's rapid movements. It shows the 
discipline, the nerve, the soldierly qualities of its men, and it 
shows in the soldier-patriot. Gen. John Sedgwick, the (luai- 
ities of great comprehensive and correct military judgment. 



150 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Comrades, my feeble tribute is written, bkinclering and 
halting, but thick with facts, richly laden with love of 
country and heroic sacrifices, which are ever green and 
fresh to those who loved and dared to die for their country's 
defence and life. We were not called upon to die amidst 
the flash of rifles, the hiss of shell, or plunging shot; but 
we were called upon to render all the service that lay within 
our power. And as time rolls on, the old Sixth Corps at 
Gettysburg will be remembered, not as Grouchy at Water- 
loo, but as Desaix at Marengo, under Napoleon the F^irst. 
Round Top was saved by the foresight of Warren, the 
martyr, and the timely arrival of the Fifth and Sixth Corps; 
and as time moves on, Eustis and his brigade can claim 
their share in the chaplets of glory so gallantly won by all 
the Army Corps and brigades on that fateful field to 
Southern valor and aspirations, the rock-boiind heights of 
Gettysburg, consecrated for all time by the blood of forty 
thousand men, a monument to the evils of class legisbtion 
and the oppression of the human race, washed from the 
escutcheon of our country's honor by the blood of its sons 
shed in defence of the Union of States formed by our fore- 
fathers, which is the best monument to the fidelity to duty 
of officers and men. 

July 3, the regiment was constantly moving from right 
to left, under a terrific shell fire most of the time, acting as 
a support to difterent portions of the line as the enemy's 
movements became dangerous and determined. It was m 
these movements back and forth that the Thirty-seventh 
became involved in a vortex of fire, and lost thirty men in 
ten minutes. It bore itself very bravely, liut would not 
have suft'ered so much if it had passed this point in open 
order as did the Seventh Massachusetts. General Russell 
always told his men to keep open order when under shell 
fire at a distance from the foe, he considering life of more 
consequence than exact military order. July 4, just before 



RETHEAT OF LEE. lo? 

d.'iylifrlit, took position in front lino of battle, whore we 
i-oni:uned until about noon, when we fell back two liun<lretl 
yards and threw up rifle-pits. 

On the mornino: of the 5th, it was discovered that Lee 
had retreated, pushinji: his way to the rear throuirh the 
passes of the Blue Kidge, his lonii; trains loaded with his 
wounded, although he left nearly fifteen thousand upon the 
field of battle and in its vicinity. The Sixth Corps was 
nuinodiatelv ordered in pursuit, and as the Corps pushed 
out on the Emniittsburg Road, the sights were sickening in 
the extreme. Everywhere lay the debris of battle, thous- 
ands of men and horses swollen beyond recognition in the 
hot eJuly sun, and the stench was almost unendurable. On 
every hand lay the wounded under temporary cover, while 
every farm house was filled to everfiowing with the dead 
and wounded of Lee's army. The Corps this day made 
but six miles, as they had to proceed slowly to escape 
andiush while entering the foot hills of the Blue Ridge. On 
the 6th, started at 4 p. m., marched all night, making nine 
miles. General Meade had in the meantime given ordei-s 
to pursue the foe by the Fairfield Road, as the numerous 
mountain pisses to the West afforded Lee very strong 
positions where he could hold the army of pursuit in check 
with a very small force, and leave his trains free to press 
on for the Potomac with the booty gathered from the fertile 
plains of Pennsylvania. July 7, marched twenty mihs mid 
l)ivouackod on the summit of South Mountain. This night- 
march ofjuallod the horroi'S of the oiu' on Gettysburg, there 
falling ever}- hour copious showers which drenched the men 
to their very skin. The roads were in a very deplorable 
state, and the mud was equal almost to Burnside's mud, the 
December previous. July 8, mai'ched eight miles to 
Mid<lk't()wu, whore the roginuMit drew rations and rested 
through the night. July U, marched six miles to Booiu^s- 
l)()ro, and rosteil durini: the aflornoon and nii,'ht. The 



158 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

cavalry was vigorously pushing the enemy, under the gallant 
Pleasanton, Custer and Kilpatrick. July 10, marched five 
miles and formed line of battle in the enemy's front. July 
11, remained in same position. July 12, followed the 
enemy to Funkstown, and formed line of battle. The 
Seventh was thrown to the front on skirmish line and had 
a very severe brush with the enemy, having four nien 
wounded ; remained on skirmish line and threw up rifle- 
pits. July 13, engaged in same work. 

Tn the meantime Lee had crossed the Potomac, making 
his escape into Virginia. The question is, Why did Meade 
thus let Lee slip through his fingers? It would take an able 
military man to properly answer that question. We may 
venture one assertion. The Army of the Potomac had lost 
almost thirt3'-five per cent, of its number in its engagements 
thus far, and it was a serious question with Meade whether 
his army was strong enough to cope with Lee's in his 
strongly fortified position. July 15, marched fifteen miles 
to Boonesboro. Gen. Meade had now taken the line of 
advance that the great strategist McClellan had, the year 
before later in the season. July 16, marched fifteen miles 
to near Berlin, where the regiment rested two days. The 
weather was simply terrible, and man}^ of the men were 
sunstruck upon those fearful long and hot marches. July 
19, crossed the Potomac at Berlin, and marched ten miles 
to Wheatland. July 20, marched ten miles to near Union. 
July 22, marched five miles and bivouacked. 

We were now on the same line of advance that McClellan 
gave to one of his most trusted lieutenants. The authorities 
at Washington had, in their experiment of removing McClel- 
lan from the Peninsula, thrown the burden of defence of the 
Capital upon the Union army, and relieved the rebel army 
from a like responsibility. They had sacrificed in the ex- 
periments of Pope, Burnside and Hooker not far from 
forty-five thousand men, and were substantially upon the 




l.\Mi:s ii(»i.i;ii( »rsi; 

VrwAW Co. •■ 1'.." 



■WITHDRAWAL OF ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH CORPS. l')l> 

same ground as in the first year of the war. The South 
was getting exhausted in a measure, not from the military 
ability of Stanton or ITalleck, hut from natural causes. 

July 23, marched eighteen miles and bivouacked in the 
woods. Jul}^ 24, marched to near Ashby's Gap, and halted 
for dinner, then mai'ched back to Orleans. July 25, marched 
tiftecMi miles and encamped two miles from Warrenton, 
where we remained in camp resting until September 15th, 
when we marched five miles to Sulphur Springs. The reg- 
iment had marched since it broke camp upon the Rappa- 
hannock, June 14th, three hundred and sixty-nine miles; 
and although it had not lost many men in battle, but by sun- 
stroke and disability it had lost more than sixty. The 
marching is almost unparalleled in history. It stands as a 
monument to the great vitality of the Anglo-Saxon race. 

The army was concentrated near Warrenton, well in hand 
to strike Lee another blow as soon as he gave Meade an 
opening, but ere it came, the army was depleted by the 
withdrawal of the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, sent to re- 
inforce Gen. Rosecrans' Army of the Ciunberland, after its 
repulse at Chickamauga, who had appealed to the authorities 
at Washington in vain for reinforcements before he made 
his great stategic move across the mountains to Chattanoo- 
ga, the Key of the Confederacy. 

Gen. Rosecrans, after McOlellan, no doubt was the great- 
est strategist the war brought to the front. He had tor his 
great subordinate, the "Hock of Chickamauga," Major-Gen. 
George H. Thomas, the only general of the war who smashed 
an army of the Confederacy in the open field. Gen. Grant 
has very severely criticised Gen. Thomas' actions around 
Nashville, but his glorious victory no doubt allayed all fears 
for his lieutenant, as he was hanging on to Richmond by a veiy 
tnicertain grip in the summer and fall of 18(54. Gen. Thomas, 
in my opinion, had no superior as a general, either in our 
army or in the Confederate. He was a remarkable man. 



CHAPTER XX. 

FEOM STOKE HOUSE MOTnTTArN TO MORNING OF KiT 3, 1864.-BATTLE OF 

EAPPAHAITNOCK STATION. — PEESEBTATION TO LIEITT.-COL. 

HAELOW. - MINE RUN CABfPAIGN. - MOVEMENT TO 

MADISON COURT HOUSE.-LIFE IN CAMP. 

SEPTEMBER 16, marched to near Stone House Moun- 
tain, sixteen miles, and took position in line of battle. 
October 1, about 11 o'clock p. m., started from camp and 
marched all night and the next day, to near Boulton's Sta- 
tion, twenty-four miles. Oct. 3, marched fourteen miles to 
Bristow's Station, where we remained in camp until the 
13th, when we marched to Catlett's Station, and returned 
to Bristow's, sixteen miles. Thi:? movement was made to 
meet Lee's great flank march, by which he hoped to get 
between Meade's army and Washington, and force the 
Union army to attack him in his chosen position : Init he 
was foiled at every step by the consummate generalship of 
Meade. While upon this march. Gen. Warren gave the 
corps of Hill a decided check at Bristow's Station, captur- 
ing cannon and prisoners. Oct. 14, marched fourteen miles 
to Centerville. Oct. 15, marched three miles and formed 
line of battle near the old Chantilly battle-field. Oct. 19, 
marched three miles to Gainesville. Oct. 20, marched 
twelve miles to near Warrenton. Oct. 22, marched three 
miles and went into camp on the same ground we left Sept. 
15, where we remained until Nov. 7, when the regiment 
again advanced twelve miles to Rappahannock Station, 
where the enemy held a very strongly fortified position. 



RAPPAHANNOCK STATION. IGl 

The Seventh was again detached from the Second Brigade, 
and sent forward in line of battle to strengthen the First 
Brigade. Here the regiment was exposed to a very severe 
shelling from the redoubts held by the enemy. Gen. Sedg- 
wick, who had command of this wing of the army, had 
tried by a concentrated artillery fire to drive the rebels 
from their positions and force them across the river under 
his guns, but the works proved too strong for our artillery, 
and sent back a very severe reply of shot and shell. 

As the day drew to a close, after a thorough reconnais- 
sance, Gen. David A. Russell, who had command of the 
line of battle, reported to Gen. Sedgwick that it was feasi- 
ble to carry the works by assault, and asked permission to 
do so, which was given by Gen. Sedgwick. Gen. Russell 
chose as his forces for the assault his own brigade and the 
Second of the first division, commanded by Gen. Horatio 
G. Wright, who was to gain a name in the future amongst 
the renowned chieftains of earth. The brigades composing 
the assaulting force were commanded by Colonels Ellsmaker 
and Upton. As the shades of evening drew on, these 
gallant men rushed forward to the assault with a stern and 
decisive step, and soon were up and over the rebel works, 
capturing some fifteen hundred prisoners and four cannon. 
The total Union loss was 371 in killed, wounded and miss- 
ing. Gen. Russell led the charge in person, and was in a 
critical position for some time. The Seventh was detached 
to strengthen his line of reserves, by his own request to 
its division commander. 

Nov. 8, crossed the Rappahannock, and occupied the 
works abandoned by the enemy. Eight companies of the 
reijiment were sent to the front on picket, where they re- 
mained until the afternoon of the 9th, when the regiment 
re-joined its brigade at Kelley's Ford, distant five miles. 
Nov. 12, returned to Rappahannock Station, crossed the 
river on the enemy's pontoons, marched seven miles, and 



162 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

encamped one mile from Brandy Station, Va., where we 
remained in camp until Nov. 26, 1863. 

In the operations beginning with the assault at Mayre's 
Heights and ending at Rappahannock Station, the regiment 
was under the command of that zealous and faithful officer, 
Franklin P. Harlow. Having received a short autobio- 
graphical sketch of his life, I insert it as a tribute to his 
fidelity to duty and as a rich treasury of reminiscence for 
his comrades in arms. 

"Lieut. -Col. Franklin P. Harlow, commander of the 
Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers in many of its important 
battles and campaigns, was born in the town of Springfield, 
State of Vermont, Dec. 8, 1827. In early manhood moved 
to the State of Massachusetts, where he served ten years in 
the Massachusetts militia previous to the war of the rebellion. 
He resigned as captain of Company E, Fourth Regiment, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. In 1859 he was com- 
missioned captain of Company K. April 21, 1861, was 
ordered to Taunton and assigned to Company K, of the 
Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, Col. Couch commander : 
was promoted Major Aug. 1 following ; was promoted Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Oct. 25, 1862, in which capacity he served 
until the muster-out of the regiment at Taunton, 1864. He 
bore a very honorable part in the Peninsula campaign, be- 
ing the trusted and zealous helper of Col. Russell, who had 
perfect confidence in his military capacity and judgment. 
He had command of the detachment that crossed the Chick- 
ahominy May 20, 1862 ; was in the engagement of Fair 
Oaks, Golden's Farm, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, first and second, leading the charge after Col. Johns 
had fallen at Mayre's Heights, Gettysburg, in the Rappa- 
hannock campaigns, including Rappahannock Station and 
Mine Run, in the Wilderness campaign, from the Rapidan 
to Cold Harbor, was detailed to command the Thirty- 



LIEUT. -COL. FRANKLIN P. HARLOW. 1(53 

seventh Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers after the 
battles at Spottsylvania Court House. After Edwards took 
command of Eustis' brigade, and Lieutenant-Col. Montague 
of the Thirty-seventh had been very severel}' wounded in 
that hard and desperate struggle at the "Angle," he re- 
joined his regiment at Cold Harbor. He returned home 
with the regiment, and was mustered out of service June 
27, 1864. Col. Russell said of him, 'He is the best 
volunteer officer I ever met with, and one of the best 
tacticians in the army.' 

"The civil record of his life is as follows : Member of 
the House of Representatives in 1871 and 1872. His 
ordinary occupation is superintendent of the tinishing de- 
partment of boots and shoes in one of our largest iirms in 
the State of Massachusetts, which position requires great 
tact and address, and a thorough knowledge of men and 
mechanical means. While lying at Brandy Station, Va., 
the officers of the Seventh Regiment presented Col. Harlow 
with a magnificent sword and lielt. An account of the 
presentation was published in the papers at home, furnished 
by others, -as our worthy Colonel is a very modest man. I 
hereb}^ insert the account as a very pleasant part of our 
history. It reads as follows : 

A SURPRISE PRESENTATION. 

On Saturday evening last, Lieut. -Col. Franklin P. Harlow, of 
the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, was the happy recipient of a 
splendid sword, sash and belt, the gift being a slight testimonial of 
filial regard of the veteran officers of the regiment, all of whom were 
present at the surprise presentation. The late special orders of the 
army forbid the acceptance of donations of presents to superior 
officers, but in this instance the money was all subscribed before the 
order suppressing such testimonials was issued. Col. Harlow came 
out in the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment as a Captain, and after 



164 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

remaining in this position a few months he received the appoint- 
ment of Major, and a short time since again rose to the rank of 
Lieutenant-Colonel. No officer in this army has a stronger hold 
upon the sympathies of both suborbinates and privates, and, without 
any desire to flatter, few officers are more deserving of this honor 
and respect, if undoubted bravery, pure patriotism, calm judgment 
and Christian fortitude are traits worthy of appreciation. The past 
record of this soldier claims some such public acknowledgment as his 
comrades in arms have seen fit to bestow upon him. In a neat speech 
Lieut. Nichols of Company I presented the souvenirs to the aston- 
ished colonel, who was suddenly called to the hospital tent of the 
regiment, as he supposed, to see one of his men, but where he was 
amazed to find every one of his officers in secret conclave assem- 
bled. The surprise was too much for the gallant officer, who, 
with considerable emotion and great modesty, feelingly replied to 
the donors. After a pleasant interchange of thought and a few 
witty speeches, a sumptuous repast was served in Capt. Bancroft's 
quarters. The whole affair was an enjoyable one, and, although 
impromptu, it passed off to the entire satisfaction of all present. 
The following is the presentation speech of Lieutenant Nichols of 
Company I : "Col. Harlow, — The officers of the Seventh Regiment 
have bid me bring you these as an expression of the high estima- 
tion ill which they hold your character. They bid me tell you that 
since you have been associated with them as an officer, your conduct 
has been such as to command their admiration and win their love, 
for many months we have been laboring for country and against 
rebellion. The same great cause has inspired us- all ; we have 
all shared in common the exposures, the fatigues, and the dangers 
of a soldier's life. We have stood side by side in the same line of 
battle ; we have sat together around the same camp-fire. It is fit- 
ting we present you some testimonial of our I'espect for you as an 
officer, of our gratitude to you as a leader, and of our friendship 
for you as a man. Whatever reputation for efficiency or bravery 
our regiment has obtained, either here or at home, is largely due to 
your efibrts and example. You have instructed us in camp, your 
fortitude has encouraged us amid hardship, and your heroism has 
inspired us upon the battle-field. Take, then, these tokens; and 
to you, and to your children after you, let them speak of the esteem 



MINE RUN CAMPAIGN. 105 

and friendship in which you are held by the officers of the Seventh 
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. 

Camp Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, 
Near Brandy Station, Va., 
Dec. 19, 1863." 

But to return to the narrative of active operations. Nov. 
26, Thanksgiving day, broke camp, and took up the line 
of march for the Rapidan. Nov. 28, marched eight miles 
to Robertson's Tavern, and bivouacked in line of battle. Nov. 
29, joined Second Corps, marched eight miles, and formed 
in line to the extreme left and front of our line of battle. 
Nov. 30, advanced to the front, formed line of battle, and 
engaged in a very sharp skirmish with the enemy without 
sericHis casualty on our part. D-uring the night changed 
position nearer the Plank Road leading to Fredericksburg. 
At 9 o'clock p. M., Dec. 1, fell back and marched all night, 
recrossing the Rapidan at Culpepper Mine Ford. Dec. 2, 
at seven o'clock, a. m., marched ten miles and bivouacked 
for the night. Dec. 3, marched four miles to Brandy Sta- 
tion, and pitched tents on same ground that we left 
Thanksgiving day. No movement was made up to Dec. 
31, which closed the narrative for the year 1863, in the 
Adjutant General's report for the State of Massachusetts. 

The campaign just closed was one of the most arduous 
the regiment had been engaged in for the year. The 
weather was terrible cold, and the men suffered greatly. 
Gen. Meade hoped i)y a swift movement to interpose be- 
tween the different corps of the reliel army and whip them 
in detail, but the operations were so hampered by thick 
forests and poor roads, and by the mistakes of one of his 
corps commanders, that the rebel Gen. Lee had ample 
time to concentrate his army in the impregnable natural 
fortress of Mine Run, and when Meade had got his army 
into position to strike an effective blow, Lee was ready and 



166 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

even anxious for him to attack. After a thorough recon- 
naissance of the enemy's vvorks by Warren on the left, he 
reported to Meade that he had found a vuhierable point in 
Lee's lines, but it was so near the close of day that it was 
impossible to attack with success, and it was deferred until 
morning. But when morning broke the rebel army had 
thoroughly covered their front with rifle-pits, and cannon 
was planted to cross-fire over all their front. Warren, 
under the circumstances, advised against attack, and when 
Meade had by personal observation examined the enemy's 
lines, he concurred in Gen. Warren's judgment. Sedgwick 
the meanwhile had prepared to attack, and was impatiently 
waiting for the sound of Warren's guns, when he received 
an order from Meade to defer the attack until he could 
confer with Warren, in whose judgment Meade concurred 
as already stated. During the Mine Run campaign the 
regiment was under the command of Col. Johns, he having 
recovered from his wounds received at Mayre's Heights the 
May previous. 

In the Adjutant- General's report of 1863-64 is found 
the following : 

The last annual report of the Seventh Regiment, Massa- 
chusetts Volunteers, brings the narrative up to Dec. 31, 
1863, Camp Sedgwick, near Brandy Station, Va., between 
the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers, where it remained 
performing the usual routine of camp and picket duty until 
Feb. 27, 1864, when a winter's march from Camp Sedg- 
wick, Va., to assist in the operations of Gen. Kilpatrick 
in his attempt to enter Richmond and liberate the Union 
prisoners confined in the "hell-holes" of Libby Prison, 
and on Belle Island in the James river, was ordered 
by General Meade. The narrative, as found in the re- 
port, says : On that day we moved with the Sixth 
Corps to cover and support the cavalry movement under 
Brig. -Gen. Custer, in the direction of Madison and Char- 



MOVEMENT TO MADISON COURT HOUSE. 167 

lottesville ('ourt House. The regiment marched fifteen 
miles on that day, through Culpepper towards Madison 
Court House, and bivouacked for the night near Jamestown 
City, Va. On the 28th, marched to south bankof Rapidan 
river, and took position in line of battle, where we remained 
until the night of March 1, in the midst of a severe rain 
and snow storm. The cavalry having returned, we re- 
crossed the river, and bivouacked one mile from the north 
bank, the snow still continuing. The object of the move- 
ment having been accomplished, March 2, marched twenty 
miles over the same line of march as we came, to our old 
camp near Brandy Station, and resumed camp duties. 
The winter was unusually severe for Virginia, and caused 
much suffering upon the picket lines. 

Nothing unusual occurred until the night of May 3, 1864, 
when we received orders to break camp at 3 o'clock next 
morninjf, and hold ourselves in readiness to move. Durinff 
the winter months we had very hard work to get sufficient 
fuel to keep warm, having to go as far as Hazel Run to the 
right of the army's lines. The regiment had constructed 
comfortable tents or houses, and the men kept very com- 
fortable, considering the lack of fuel. The picket duty of 
the men had become very arduous on account of the small 
number of men reported present for duty in regiment, there 
being about 225 reported as fit for duty on muster-rolls. 
At this time several executions took place in New York and 
Pennsylvania regiments for desertion. We spent the time 
in camp playing checkers and drawing lots to see who should 
go and get the wood and Vater. We were reviewed several 
times by Generals Grant and Meade. When Generals 
Russell and Sedgwick rode along the lines of the Sixth 
Corps, the former spoke of the Seventh as his regiment, 
for Russell was always proud of his old command. The 
boys were as proud of him as he was of them. When the 
boys were out on the march towards Madison Court House, 



168 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Gen. Custer rode by at the head of the cavahy command, 
and was very warmly received by the infantry. He looked 
every inch the dashing cavalry man that he was, and the 
boys felt that he would give a good account of himself when 
the opportunity should occur. And no doubt my many 
readers will remember how gallantly he escorted the rebel 
Gen. Rosser out of the valley after Rosser had declared 
himself the saviour of the valley. No doubt he felt that his 
escort rather hurried him, but under the circumstances it 
was the best Custer could do for him ; for the invincible 
Sheridan generally required of his subordinates quick ful- 
fillment of his wishes. 

Before the spring campaign opened, the old Army of the 
Potomac had undergone a thorough reorganization, though 
many military men think that the consolidation of the 
difierent corps impaired their morale and efficiency. The 
following is the roster as found in the reports in the Adju- 
tant-General's office at Washington : 

General commanding the armies, Lieut. -Gen. Ulysses S. 
Grant, headquarters with the Army of the Potomac, with 
Major-General Geo. G. Meade, commanding the army ; 
Major-General A. A. Humphreys, Chief of Staff"; Brigadier- 
General Henry J. Hunt, Chief of Artillery ; Major James 
C. Duane, Chief Engineer. 

Major-General W infield S. Hancock, commanding the 
Second Corps, had under his command four Divisions, 
commanded by the following generals : First Division, 
Brigadier-General F. C. Barlow; Second Division, Briga- 
dier-General John Gibbon ; Third Division, "old Third 
Corps," Major-General D. B. Birney; Fourth Division, "old 
Third Corps," Brigadier-General G. Mott, commanding. 

Major-General G. K. Warren, who had been promoted to 
the command of the old Fifth Corps after the Mine Run 
campaign, had under him the following very able leaders : 
First Division, Brigadier-General Charles Griffin ; Second 







|-R\NK I!.\rki;r, 

Private ("o. " A." 



ROSTER OF ARMY OF POTO^FAC. IT)!) 

Division, Brigndicr-General J. C.Robinson ; Third Division. 
Bi-igiidier-Gen<?rnl S. W. Crawford ; Fonrth Division, Brig- 
adier-General J. S. Wadsworth, commanding. 

The Sixth Corps was under the connnand of the ilhistri- 
ons soldier and patriot, Major-General John Sedgwick, who 
had for his division commanders, Brigadier Horatio G. 
Wright, commanding First Division ; Second Division was 
commanded b}^ Brigadier-General G. W. Getty ; Third 
Division by Brigadier James B. Ricketts. 

The Cavalry Corps, composed of three Divisions, was 
commanded by the renowned Major-General Philip H. 
Sheridan, who added new lustre to the armies of the Union 
by his almost incomparable generalship. 

The division commanded by General George W. Getty, 
and to which Eustis' Brigade was attached, having been 
transferred from the old Third Division, commanded by 
Major-General John Newton, who had left the Army of the 
Potomac to serve in the army under Sherman, consisted of 
four brigades, commanded by the following named officers : 
First Brigade, Gen. Frank Wheaton ; Second Brigade, 
Col. Lewis A. Grant ; Third Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Thomas 
H. Neil; Fourth Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Henry L. Eustis, 
formerly colonel of the Tenth Massachusetts, a very line 
soldier, and a most excellent engineer. 

The Fourth Brigade consisted of only four regiments, com- 
manded by the following officers : The Seventh Massachu- 
setts, Col. Thomas D.Johns; Tenth Massachusetts, Col. 
Joseph B. Parsons; Thirty-seventh Massachusetts, Col. 
Oliver Edwards; Second Rhode Island, Col. Horatio G. 
Rogers. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

EOSTEK OF REaiMENT, MAY 3, 1864.-M0VEMENT AOEOSS THE EAPIDAN.- 

BATTLE OF THE WILDEENESS.-MOVEMENTS AND BATTLES 

OF SPOTTSYLVANIA OOUET HOUSE. 

THE Seventh Massachusetts in the campaign of 1863 and 
up to the morning of May 3, 1864, had marched in di- 
rect mai'ches seven hundred and five miles, besides the untokl 
number of miles marched while on picket duty ; and had 
lost in killed and wounded, and discharged from sickness 
and disabilities, two hundred and fifty men, so that the 
muster rolls, upon the morning of May 3, 1864, had but 
three hundred and eighteen men present for duty. 

On the morning of May 3, 1864, the roster of the regi- 
ment was as follows: — Colonel, Thomas D. Johns; Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, Franklin P. Harlow; Major, Joseph B. 
Leonard ; Stafi": Edward N. Dean, Adjutant; Daniel Edison, 
Jr., Quartermaster; Surgeon, William H. Lincoln. 

Commanders of Companies were: — Co. A, Capt. C. C 
Weston ; Co. B, Capt. T. R. Mathewson ; Co. C, Capt. 
William H. Gurney ; Co. D, Capt. William M, Hale; Co. 
E, 1st. Lieut. Charles E. Cady ; Co. F, Capt. Zeba F. 
Bliss; Co. G, Capt. Ward L. Foster; Co. H, Capt. John 
R. Whitcomb; Co. I, Capt. D. C. Bancroft; Co. K, 1st 
Lieut. Leonard Hathaway, Capt. Daniel Packard of the 
company being on stafi" duty with Major-Gen. Russell, for- 
merly colonel of the Seventh Regiment. There were many 
first and second lieutenants whose records are worthy of 
all praise, and will be mentioned as the history progresses. 




ciiRisroi'iii'.R ('■ \\i.sn»N. 

C'aiiiain Co. " \." 



WILDERNESS CAMrAION UNDER GRANT AND MEADE. 171 

The Seventh Massachusetts, under the great military 
leaders, Grant and Meade, was about to engage in one of 
the most bloody campaigns the world ever saw. General 
Grant, fresh from his fields of labor in the West, where he 
had gained victory after victory over his foes, where others 
had failed, came to the East well crowned with honors 
gained in his country's service. And while perhaps he 
underrated the great chieftain against whom he was pitted, 
and scarcely understood the heroic mould of the army he 
was called upon to command, yet, as he warmed up to 
his work, he grew to recognize the great power and fidelity 
to dut}' which permeated the grand old Army of the Poto- 
mac, upon whose shoidders rested the fate of free institu- 
tions And while perhaps he did not show the consummate 
ability of Lee, he did show equal and greater moral train- 
ing, and by his constant hammering broke the grand old 
Army of Northern Virginia to pieces, and plucked a piece 
from the brow of the greatest general of all rebeldom. 
Theref(n-e all honor to Grant; many may laugh at his im- 
mobility to death, still the fact remains, he conquered the 
rebels and gained us peace and a nationality among the 
nations of the earth ! He knew the worth of his volunteer 
soldiers and trusted them implicitly, and through this com- 
mon-sense trait in his own character, and a mind of unpar- 
alleled tenacity, he drove the "cold steel" into ilie vitals ot" 
the rebellion and united the land of his fathers. General 
George Gordon Meade, his suliordinate, was a most mere- 
toi'ious officer, bold and tenacious, conscienti(His and kind. 
With Christian fortitude he achieved for himself a name 
and fame among the illustrious names of the war. Au"! 
Grant and Meade will go down in history one and indivis- 
able, at the light and left hand of Mars, who overthrew the 
great slave-holders' rebellion from Constitutional authority. 
Early on the morning of May 3, 1S(U, the orders were 
given to be ready to I)reak canq) at a moment's notice, or 



172 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

at 3 A. M, the next morning, and hold ourselves ready to 
move. Eight days' ration had been issued with sixty 
rounds of ball cartridge, and early the next morning the 
tents were stripped from our little log houses, never more 
to return to them, which awakened many thoughts of our 
far away northern homes, for the term of service of the 
Seventh Massachusetts was soon to end ; and knowing that 
the coming grapple with the enemy must be fierce and 
deadly, it gave to many faces a sad and thoughtful cast. 

But soon the order came to fall in, and we were launched 
upon the hardest and most bloody campaign the army had 
ever experienced. 

General Lee occupied about the same position that he did 
the fall previous, his lines running to the Rapidan on his 
left, while his return rested upon Mine Run. His position 
was impregnable to a front attack, and so Generals Grant 
and Meade planned a flank movement by his right, hoping 
to cross the river in safety, and pass through the Wilderness, 
and seize the roads leading south towards Richmond. The 
first part of the plan was successful, but the last part failed 
in a very important particular. General Lee decidedly 
objected to having his right flank turned, and with des- 
perate haste hurried his legions into the Wilderness to strike 
Grant's army a staggering blow in flank, before he could 
march his army through it. 

On the morning of May 4, the Seventh Massachusetts 
broke camp, and with the rest of the brigade formed column 
of march, heading for the Rapidan, with the division of 
General Getty of the Sixth Corps. The day proved very 
warm, and as we made a rapid march, the road was en- 
cumbered with the paraphernalia of camp life which the 
troops preceding us had thrown away as they warmed up to 
their work. Blankets, extra caps and coats were soon dis- 
pensed with. The regiment marched fourteen miles and 
crossed the Rapidan a few minutes after 1 o'clock p. m., 



CROSSING THE RAPIDAN. 173 

the brigade tlien advanced some four miles and bivouacked 
for the night. Meanwhile the Second Corps had crossed at 
Eley's Ford and encamped near Chancellorsville under 
the command of General Hancock. 

The Fifth Corps had preceded the Sixth Corps in cross- 
ing the Kapidan, and, preceded by Wilson's cavalry division, 
had bivouacked at the intersection of the Germnnia Plank 
Road with the Orange Court House and Fredericksburg 
Turnpike. The head of the Sixth Corps was some four 
miles from Germania Ford, at which place the rear 
of the corps had encamped for the night. The orders given 
to the different corps commanders for May 5 contemplated 
moving the Second Corps under Hancock to Shady Grove 
Church, and then extend his right toward the Fifth Corps, 
under Major-General Warren, at Parker's Store. But ere 
this move could be carried out in its entirety, the rebels 
had appeared on the Orange Court House Pike in such force, 
that General Warren halted his corps and sent word to 
General Meade of the interruption of his line of march. 
Meade replied to Warren's aid, "Lee has left a division 
here to fool us while he prepares a position behind the 
Annas." But the force confronting Warren soon developed 
into a very strong force, and Warren formed line of battle 
and awaited orders. 

Now let us turn to Lee, and see what he has been doing. 
In the meantime, while the Army of the Potomac has been 
crossing the Rapidan, in the movement past Lee's right 
Hank, General Lee had correctly divined the intent of the 
LTnion commanders, and had informed his corps and division 
commanders when they assembled upon Clark's Mountain 
with him May 3, that he anticipated that Grant would move 
around his right flank, and gave orders to his corps com- 
manders to hold themselves in readiness to march upon 
Grant's army and strike it a l)low in flank before it cleared 
the Wilderness, that field of battle oflering sub<;tantial ail- 



174 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

vantages to the Confederates, as the Army of the Potomac 
could not use its immense park of artillery to any advan- 
tage in the wooded tangles of this dark and gruesome 
ground, and where the Southern knowledge of bushwhack- 
ing would more than counterbalance the preponderence of 
numbers of the Union army. It was a field well chosen, 
but it did not prove as decisive as Lee had hoped. The 
"clock of destiny" had begun to strike the death knell of 
the Confederac^saud Grant kept striking the clock until the 
death stroke had been delivered at Appomattox Court 
House, almost a year from the opening blow struck in the 
Wilderness. 

May 5, the Second Division under General Getty of the 
Sixth Corps, marched to the left and took position upon 
the left of the Fifth Corps, but the demonstrations becom- 
ing so powerful upon the Orange Court House Road, 
the cavalry reporting under Colonel Hammond that the 
enemy had appeared in great force out beyond Parker's 
Store, and that he was slowly being driven back to the 
junction of the Brock and Turnpike Roads. General Han- 
cock had received orders by 11 o'clock A. M., to hold his 
forces at Todd's Tavern, and be in readiness to move up the 
Brock Road to the help of General Getty, who, with the 
Second Division of the Sixth Corps, had been detached 
from that corps and had been hurried to the junction of the 
Brock Road and Orange Court House Pike, as soon as it 
was apparent that Hill's Corps was advancing in force upon 
the Pike. The division arrived at the junction shortly after 
11 o'clock A. M. One brigade under General Neil had been 
detached from the division, and ordered to support Major- 
General Wright of the First Division, on the right of the 
Fifth Corps under Major-General Warren. The other three 
brigades, consisting of Wheaton's, Grant's and Eustis', 
formed line of battle across the Pike, and threw out skir- 
mishers shortlv after 1 o'clock p. m. The line was formed 



BATTLE OF THE -WILDERNESS. 175 

with the Second Brigade, General Grant's, on the left of 
the Plank Road, General Wheaton's, the First, and General 
Eustis', the Fourth Brigade, upon the right of the Pike, 
Wheaton's Brigade in the front line, and General Eustis' 
Brigade in two lines of battle insupi)ort, the Thirty-seventh 
Massachusetts on the right, and Tenth in front line, the 
Seventh Massachusetts and Second Rhode Island in second 
as support. 

General Getty had, after arriving at his destination in 
the morning, advanced his skirmishers until he had met the 
enemy's, and had developed such force that he thought it 
prudent to desist from attack until a part of the Second 
Corps should arrive upon the ground, and while waiting, 
the men intrenched slightly in front of Wheaton's and 
Grant's Brigades. 

General Hancock's troops did not arrive as promptly as 
expected, and the attack was not made until near 4 o'clock, 
and then it was too late to obtain a decisive victory. The 
Brock Road was verj' narrow, and Hancock had encum- 
bered it with his artillery, and therefore he had a very 
severe march to get to the assistance of Getty. Some one 
must have thought very decidedly that Lee would retreat, 
or they never would have left the Orange Court House Pike 
guarded by only 500 cavalry, and have blocked the only 
road with artillery from which it was possible to reinforce 
the right wing of the army; and the army only escaped 
disaster from the non-arrival of Lougstreet's Corps upon 
the 5th. 

The narrative says, shortly after 4 o'clock the advance 
to attack was sounded, and the enemy was successfully 
engaged until dark, when we occupied the grounds from 
which the army had been driven, and slept on our arms for 
the night. This was one of the severest engagements the 
regiment had been engaged in. 

Colonel Parsons, of the Tenth, in his narrative says, "The 



176 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

lines were immediately formed, with the Tenth Mass. and 
SecoudRhodelslandinthefront line,and on Wheaton's right, 
and the Seventh and Thirty-seventh Massachusetts com- 
posed the rear line ; and it would seem to me as if this was 
the correct formation. Other formations have been given, 
but I think this the correct one." Mark what follows: "I 
was now ordered by General Enstis, commanding brigade, 
to throw out skirmishers and cover his front, after which 
we were ordered forward to attack the enemy. The woods 
at this point, were so thick that we moved forward by the 
'right of companies to the front' for about a half mile, when 
the skirmishers became engaged, and we promptly formed 
line, and soon became hotly engaged with the enemy. At 
this juncture the regiment on our right gave way, and we 
received a destructive lire on the right flank, in addition to 
the fire in front. Men fell like leaves in autumn, yet the 
regiment stood firm, never wavering till the ammunition 
being expended, was promptly relieved by Lieut. -Colonel 
Barlow and the Seventh Massachusetts. Would I could 
sound a note to his (Elarlow's) praise, than whom none is 
more worthy." 

The Tenth Massachusetts suff'ered a loss of 115, while 
the Seventh suffered a loss of 85 in kill and wounded, in 
this deadly embrace in the tangled woods on the Turnpike. 

In the meantime Hancock had arrived, and with his aid, 
Hill's Corps was driven back more than a mile. The three 
companies of skirmishers thrown out to the right front of 
the brigade, had a very severe skirmish, and drove back 
the rebel skirmishers almost to the opening at Chewnings, 
where they attained a very strong position, and sent in 
word to the division commander who sent Owens' Brigade 
to their support, from which position he attacked the 
rebels, but was severely repulsed, losing some 200 men. 

Meanwhile, on the right of the army, the battle '-.ad 
been carried on with fearful carnage. Assault after assault 




'///"/ 



All Ki.D A. si:a\i:kns. 

l'ri\;itc Co. " K." 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 177 

li;id been delivered upon the rebel lines, with no apprecinbk" 
results, by Sedgwick and Warren. Meanwhile, Gen. Burn- 
side had joined the arni}^ and early in the day had been 
put into position to attack the rebel center, on the left of 
General VVarren. He advanced to the attack but gained 
no advantage over the enemy. Towards 6 o'clock in the 
evening, Generals Gordon and Early organized an attack 
upon the right flank of the Sixth Corps, getting in on the 
right and capturing some six hundred men, with Generals 
Seymour and Shayler commanding brigades in the Third 
Division of the Sixth Corps. This division was annexed to 
the Sixth Corps after the reorganization of the army. It 
had joined the army after Gettysburg, and had not had the 
necessary pounding and experience to withstand the on- 
slaught of Lee's veterans of so many fields of bloody battles. 
But subsequently they retrieved themselves nol)ly, it being 
a question of seasoning; General James B. Ricketts being 
one of the finest officers in the army. The First and Sec- 
ond Divisions were never broken, and were the nucleus 
around which clustered the glory of the old Sixth Corps, 
as do the stars in Orion's belt on a winter's night. 

During the night, preparations w^ere made to renew the 
battle promptly on the morrow ; Hancock was reinforced by 
Wardsworth's Division of the Fifth Corps, and General 
Stevenson's of the Ninth. The next morning promptly at 
.") o'clock, the attack commenced from the Union lines. 
May G, General Hancock had under his command seven di- 
visions, or about two thirds of the army. Soon after the 
advance was sounded, the enemy was met, consisting of 
Heath's and Wilcox's Divisions of Hill's Corps. After a 
fight of an hour or more they were broken and forced back 
in great confusion, almost amongst the cannon at ^^'idow 
Tapp's and Chewning's, at which point General Lee had 
established his headquarters. But ere Hancock could 

5 



1<8 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

secure the results of his brilliant fighting, Field and Ker- 
shaw of Longstreet's Corps were met, and under the inspi- 
ration of the leadership of Lee and Longstreet, they checked 
and then drove back the troops of Hancock on the left of 
the Pike, until they were nearly parallel with the Pike. 
It was in this retrograde movement that General Wadsworth, 
commanding a division of the Fifth Corps, was killed ; he 
was a noble and conscientious man. 

Before Hancock could re-form his lines the enemy had 
come upon him in such force, he felt compelled to withdraw 
and re-form on the Brock Road. The division in the front 
of Getty's broke early in the morning, which brought it in- 
to the forefront of battle again, and it yielded up a large 
quota of its soldiers in death and wounds, to help stay the 
oncoming tide of rebel success. The Seventh Massachusetts 
sufi'ered a loss of thirty-five on this eventful day, while the 
Thirty-seventh was called upon to make one of those heroic 
sacrifices which the soldiers of the old Bay State were called 
upon to make so often, in that sea of blood from 1861 to 
18(55. 

After the repulse in the morning, we were re-formed on 
the Brock and Germania Plank Roads, where we rested 
until Lee delivered his attack in the afternoon. When the 
company which had been out on the skirmish line returned 
to the regiment as they lay in line waiting the enemy's 
attack, they asked, "Where are the boys, colonel?" "Here 
is all there is left of us," he replied, with quivering lips. 
There were about one hundred and twenty-five men with 
the colors, and as we brought in about thirty men the loss 
was very apparent. 

The rebels let us rest in peace until about 4 o'clock, 
when they delivered their famous charge upon Hancock's 
lines, and after a temporary success they were driven off 
with great loss. Shortly after 8 o'clock we took up our 
march for the right of the army, to rejom our old corps. 



ROLL OF IIOXOK. 17!» 

vory glnd to get home after being jammed to tlie extent ot" 
our ability, to help Hancock's Corps reap the laurels to which 
they lay strong claims. 

The gallant division of Getty had lost over twenty-tive 
hundred men in this bitter and desperate battle, and the 
gallant Getty was very severely wounded. The division 
was conmianded by General Wheaton, and afterwards by 
General Thomas Neil, while General Getty was recovering 
from his wounds. 

The Seventh Massachusetts lost in the ensanguine battle 
of the Wilderness, in killed, wounded and ttiken i)risoners, 
one hundred and twenty-one men. The following is 

THE ROLL OF HONOR. 

COMFANV A. 

Killed. — James H. Wordell. 'i. 

Mortally wounded. — Corporal William Hill, Charles W . Terry. 

Company B. 
Killed. — Richard H. Quiuley, Edward P. West. Wiliiam o 
Warhust. 

Mortally wounded. — Noue reported. 

Company C. 
Killed. — Corporal John L. Hamiltou. Jolm Hart. Ctcorgo A. 
Warren. 

Mortally wounded. — John Fox. 

Company D. 
Killed. — None reported. 

Mortally ivounded. — Corporal Beujamiu Williams. Corporal 
James B. Allen, George W. Boston, Thomas Davis, Jeremiah 
Durgan, James Goodwin, George T. Lee, Horatio Hudson, William 
^Ricker, Joseph E. Saudtord. 

Company E. 
None reported. 



180 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUXTEER INFANTRY. 
COMPAXY F. 

Killed. — James McCormick. 
2_ 3Iortally wounded. — Sergeant Joseph Elliott. 

Company G. 

Killed. — None reported. 

Mortally wounded. — Jacob Roach, Daniel Donovan, Corporal 
^ James McCullouorh. 



% 



None reported. 



Company H. 



Company I. 



Killed. — None reported. 

Mortally xvouyided. — William H. Hill, First Sergeant John D. 
Peacock. 

Company K. 

Killed. — None reported. 
Wounded. — James C. Bates. 

These are the heroes of the Wilderness, who fell in its 
tangled thickets, and of whose sepulchre no man knows 
to this day. They sleep where they fell, with thousands of 
others, only to awaken when the Lord shall come in the 
glory of His might, and when wars shall be no more, and 
all tears shall be wiped away, and peace, universal peace, 
shall reign supreme ; when nations shall learn war no more 
forever, when the widow and orphan, the brother and son, 
the father and mother, shall be united never more to part, 
and all nations shall know of His righteousness and love. 

On the morning of May 7, went into position upon the 
extreme right of the corps, and commenced throwing up 
ritie pits, to resist a threatened attack upon the right flank 
of the army. As we were making this move, the regiment 
passed General Sedgwick standing by a battery, looking 



MOVEMENT ON SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE. 181 

with evident pritlc tuul pain at onr decimated ranks. At 5 
o'clock in the afternoon he thoroughly inspected his lines, 
in anticipation of an attack from the enemy, but no attack 
was made upon us, and shortly after dark we were moved 
out on the road towards Chancellorsville, and then marched 
on the road towards Spottsylvania Court House. 

From the results of the battle just fought, the military 
student will conclude that Grant underrated the fighting 
powers of Lee's army, and with greater num])ers he could 
have defeated Lee at the outset of the campaign. There- 
fore it must be said that he commenced his campaign after 
inadequate preparation. The same question could be asked 
of him as of McClellan at Antietam. Why did not Grant 
attack upon the Eighth? Simply because he could not 
drive Lee away from his flank, and the only thing for him 
to do was either to retreat or move by the flank. He wise- 
ly chose the latter, (perhaps more in deference to Halleck's, 
Stanton's, and the President's wish) for an overland cam- 
paign. If Butler had been with us, we would have had 
Spottsylvania Court House, and no doubt Lee would have 
suflered a disastrous defeat. 

The regiment marched all night in the dark, making 
some ten or twelve miles. May 8, marched eight miles on 
the road to Spottsylvania Court House, where we met the 
enemy in force ; the Fifth Corps had preceded us, and had 
met with a severe repulse at the hands of the rebels, but 
after some severe fighting they established their lines. Soon 
after noon the Sixth Corps began to come upon the ground, 
when General Sedgwick took command of the troops and 
began forming lines of attack with the Fifth and Si.xth 
Corps. The Second Corps was still to the rear at Todd's 
Furnace, where the Brock Road and Shady Grove Koail 
connect with the Catharpian Road. The rebels were mean- 
while pusliing forward with all their might to obtain the 
position around the court house and forlify the same, so as 



182 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

to block Grant's advance. There was an open field at 
Alsop's, which was favorable for deploying troops, and 
where artillery could be planted to command approaches to 
the Union lines, and which position had been seized by 
Warren in the morning. General Robinson of the Fifth 
Corps had been severely wounded in the morning's fight. 
The rebel lines were held by two divisions of General 
Anderson's Corps of the rebel army, he having been pro- 
moted to the command of Longstreet's Corps after his 
woundinoj in the Wilderness. 




i>hii..\\I)i:r w. KKc-ro, 

I St. Scigi-aiU C"iJ. " ("'■" 



CHAPTER XXII. 

FROM SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE TO COLD HARBOR.-DEATH OF GEN. 

SEDGWICK.-FiaHT OF THE "ANGLE, "-MOVEMENT ACROSS 

THE ANNAS.-LETTER OF COL. JOHNS. 

GENERAL SEDGWICK by (> o'clock had formed his 
lines tmd was ready to assault the rebel lines. There 
was quite a severe artillery duel in the meantime, and 
shortly before 6.30 Brown's New Jersey brigade made an 
attack, but was repulsed with severe loss. General Craw- 
ford's division of the Fifth Corps had formed in the mean- 
time with Eustis' brigade as a support in rear line. This 
charge was in a measure successful, but should have been 
made two hours earlier to have been of any great help in 
carrying the rebel position, as the most of the troops were 
withdrawn in the night to their original positions hekl >)e- 
fore the charge. 

The narrative says : Formed in line of battle with the 
Sixth Corps, and at dark charged on the enemy, who was 
in a strong position on elevated ground. Their line was 
broken, and the Seventh Massachusetts captured the color- 
standard, color-guard, and thirty-two men of a Georgia 
regiment, losing but two men killed, four wounded, and 
two taken prisoners. The latter wei-e recaptured while on 
their way to Richmond, by Sheridan's cavalry, and subse- 
sequentlj' returned to the regiment. It was in this charge 
that Sergeant William H. Hill of Company I, and Corporal 
William Hill of Company A, were mortally wounded, dy- 
ing the same day. The next morning commenced throwing 
up rifle pits. 



184 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

It was upon this clay, May 9, 1864, that the army and 
Sixth Corps were called upon to yield up to this grand 
carnival of death, the immortal Sedgwick, who yielded up 
his life on this eventful day, a holocaust to his country's 
liberty. Noble, generous and brave, he ruled his troops by 
the quiet impressions that a great character of his ability 
always holds over his men. He never was given to the 
glitter and pageantry of war, but seemed to be endued with 
the good strong common-sense characteristic of Grant, using 
a soldier's fare and comforts when campaigning. The Sixth 
Corps lost in Sedgwick one who had gained their affections, 
by the tender care of his men in camp and on the march, 
and by his great skill in handling them in action. The 
news was brought to the regiment by Marcus Ames of Co. 
K, and a soldier from Co. E, who had gone for water to the 
right rear of the Corps. We could not believe it, the l^low 
was paralyzing ; and many a tear dropped on well-worn 
blouses and uniforms, as the sad news was pressed home to 
every heart, that Sedgwick was no more. This unfortunate 
fatality occurred at the angle of the lines which ran in the 
direction of Alsop's. General Sedgwick was on the outer 
lines, giving the directions for putting cannon into position 
to command the approaches to this part of the line. The 
sharpshooters had been busy all the morning, and wounded 
and killed several in the immediate vicinity. As he stood 
there in his calm serenity, Gen. Sedgwick said, "Pooh, man, 
they can't hit an elephant at that distance," when a sickening 
thud, and a sudden reel, and the soul of the gallant Sedg- 
wick had left its frail tenement of clay for eternity, there to 
walk the streets of paradise with the congenial spirits of 
those who had gone before him. He fell into the arms 
of his faithful Adjutant-General, John McMahon. In 
his death the Sixth Corps lost a great commander ; the 
country, a noble patriot; the army, a soldier and able 
general. 



DEATH OF GEN. SEDGWICK. 185 

As soon as Sedgwick's death was known at army head- 
quarters, Major-General Horatio G. Wright, commander of 
the First Division, Sixth Corps, was appointed to the com- 
mand of the corps; he was a very able general, and filled 
in a large measure the place left vacant by the death of Sedg- 
wick, he being the general chosen by Sedgwick to succeed 
him if he should be killed or disabled. Major-General 
Russell took command of the First Division formerly com- 
manded by General Wright. 

On the 10th, threw up rifle pits and supported Brown's 
Rhode Island Battery, he opening a very heavy lire in aid of 
the assaults delivered upon the enemy's lines on the left of 
the division. General Thomas H. Neil was in command of 
the Second Division of the Sixth Corps, in the movements 
around Spottsylvania. May 11, was ordered to the front 
on skirmish line, where we remained two days on constant 
duty. In the meantime preparations for the grand assault 
on the morning of the 12th were being made. Hancock's 
Second Corps was withdrawn from the extreme right of the 
army, where it had operated across the river Po, in the at- 
tempt to seize Lee's wagon train, '-but it was severely 
handled, and gained no advantages over the enemy to com- 
pensate for its loss of life, "and was massed in rear of Land- 
stren's house. Early in the gray morning of the 12th, the 
columns of attack were moved forward, and soon with a 
rush and cheer were over the rebel works, where they cap- 
tured General Edward Johnston's division almost entire 
with some eighteen or twenty cannon, but after they ha<l 
advanced about one quarter of a mile, they met with the 
severest opposition and were slowly pushed back to the 
lines from which they had advanced. But the Sixth Cori)s 
under Wright was at hand, and moving up to the west face 
of the "Angle," commenced a very heavy attack with Uj)- 
ton's and Eustis' brigades. The fighting was severe and 
bloody, there being a continuous battle of twenty hours' 

6 



186 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, 

duration. General Eiistis' brigade, now commanded by 
Colonel Edwar.ds of the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts, 
General Eustis being detached temporarily to the command 
of the Fourth Brigade, First Division, suffered very severe- 
ly in killed and wounded. 

The Seventh Massachusetts had been left upon the picket 
line in front of the old line held by the brigade previous to 
the battle of the "Angle." The skirmishing was very severe 
all along the lines. We were holding a very important 
point of the line with a Pennsylvania regiment who were 
not under the best of discipline, for the larger portion of a 
company left the lines and gathered around a fire to make 
coffee, but were soon dispersed by rebel shell and the field 
officer of the day, Lieutenant-Colonel Franklin P. Harlow 
of the Seventh Massachusetts, who ordered them back to 
the skirmish line or be shot in their tracks, for leaving 
their posts in face of the enemy. The regiment fired some 
forty rounds on the skirmish line this day. 

On the evening of May 13, rejoined the brigade and 
rested nntil 2 a. m. of the 14th, when we marched five 
miles and formed line of battle on the left of the Fifth 
Corps. These movements were made in the midst of rain, 
mud, and extreme darkness. The men were beginning to 
feel the strain of this constant fighting by day and marching 
by night. It was at this time that Lieutenant-Colonel Harlow 
was detached from the regiment and sent to command the 
Thirty-seventh, Lieutenant-C'olonel Montague being wound- 
ed very severely at the "Angle." May 17, marched all 
night towards the "Angle," and went into position as support 
to the Second Corps in the second attack upon the "Angle;" 
charged with our division on the enemy's works, but we 
were met with a fearful fire of shell and shot, and the gen- 
eral commanding seeing the uselessuess of further sacrifice, 
gave the order to fall back, which we did under a fearful 
fire of shot and shell. 




MlNkoi; ]■. Wll l,l\.M^ 
I St. I.iculi'iiam ( "d. " !•;." 



BATTLES OF THE "ANGLE." 187 

After we had moved to the right rear, the rel)cls, still 
keeping up ii severe shelling, dropped a shell into a cluster 
of oiEcers who were chatting together as they thought un- 
der good cover. Colonel Johns, Lieutenant Hathaway of 
Company K, Adjutant Dean, and one or two others were 
in the bunch. They were soon under better cover, with only 
the adjutant slightly wounded. The casualties this day 
were six wounded. We rested in line of battle until dark, 
when we took up our march back to our old position on the 
left of the Fifth Corps, crossing the Ni River, threw out 
pickets and bivouacked for the night. At this time the 
weather was extremely sultry and depressing, and the army 
was much exhausted. We had gone in on the 18th, lost 
some twelve hundred men, had accomplished nothing, but 
expended a good deal of our strength, and had begun to 
think that this constant hammering was very severe work 
for the army, with no advantage gained to compensate for 
the terrible slaughter experienced in these useless and aim- 
less attacks without adequate preparation. 

Grant rested here some four days and received reinforce- 
ments from Washington, liringing up his army to very 
nearly seventy-five thousand effective infantry, when, see- 
ing the futility of his efforts to break through Lee's lines 
around Spottsylvania Court House, he commenced his 
movement towards the North Anna River. He had lost 
some eighteen thousand men around the court house, which 
with fifteen thousand lost in the Wilderness, made the sum 
total of thirty-three thousand men killed and wounded in 
this series of desperate battles. Surely the overland campaign 
was bloody enough to suit most any strategist of Stanton's 
or Balleck's stature. 

The following letter, printed in the Boston Journal,. h\uc, 
1864, may be of interest to the readers of this history, and 
is copied entire, with corrections in the fatalities as time 
has shown the need of correction: 



188 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

The term of service of this gallant regiment will expire on the 
15th of June, when they will leave the army to be mustered out of 
service. They have lost one hundred and eighty men since they 
crossed the Rapidan, in killed and wounded, and also a few men 
taken prisoners. On the 7th of June, Col. Johns had a very nar- 
row escape from death, a spherical case-shot exploding within a few 
feet of him and showering balls all around, but none of them striking 
him. although his horse was killed. In a previous engagement 
in the Wilderness, when the regiment was engaged with Hill's 
Corps upon the Orange Court House Pike in advance of the Brock 
Road, where the fighting was very close and deadly, Color-sergeant 
Hetherston was very severely wounded; Color-corporal Hill, who 
seized the colors, was mortally wounded ; Color-corporal Thomas 
Sherman, who next took them, fell severely wounded as the regi- 
ment advanced ; Sergeant Sweet, who next took them, was severe- 
ly wounded, when Corporal Knowles, who succeeded the others, 
escaped their fate and carried the colors until the close of the action 
without serious casualty. The Seventh Massachusetts in the con- 
test of May 8, at Spottsylvania Court House, in the charge just at 
night on that day, had a most spirited contest for the colors of the 
Sixth Georgia regiment, but only succeeded in capturing the color- 
standard, the color-sergeant of that regiment having previously 
stripped the colors from the staff and threw them away, and in the 
dusk of evening it was impossible to find them, but we succeeded iu 
capturing the color-bearer and two of the color-guard. After the 
attack was over and the roll had been called, it was found that the 
Seventh had captured thirty-two officers and privates besides the 
color-guard, while the Georgians had captured only four of the 
Seventh's men, who were afterwards recaptured by Sheridan's 
cavalry while they were marching upon the road to Richmond, in 
his great cavalry raid around Lee's army, and have rejoined the 
regiment. It was in this charge that Corporal William W. Boul- 
dry of Co. G, exhibited fine traits of valor, dashing ahead and call- 
ing on the boys to follow, capturing single-handed, a rebel lieutenant 
and private, the first prisoners taken, and pushed them to the rear 
at double-quick. This, too, after he had had a musket pointed at his 
heart and had been summoned, to surrender. 




|()HN iiowAKrii. 

Scriieant Co. " 1"".'" 



MOVEMENT TOWARDS THE NOKTH ANNA RIVER. 189 

There AA'ere many men who distinguished themselves in 
this charge: Lieut. Wade of Co. I, Bowcn of Co. A, Giles 
of Co. K, Nye of Co. B, Capts. Wm. Hale and Bancroft, 
and Lieut. Fisher; and of the non-commissioned officers 
there were Sergeants Fecto and Wilbur of Co. G, Byron, 
Ilowarth and Aldrich of Co. F, John Cook, Sergeant, and 
Corporal Needham of Co. E, Hazeltine and Paine of Co. C, 
Davis and Cahoon, Sergeants, of Co. B; while McEwen, 
Key and Bennett of Co. A, Uall, Sweet, Sued and Bliss of 
Co. I, Sergeants, and Corporals Hayward and Pidge, with 
Calvin Porter, Sergeants Bain, Alden and Brown of.Co. K, 
stood firmly by the old flag, and dared to die in its defence. 
But where all were heroes it is invidious to select. 

The three hundred men who crossed the Rapidan under 
Grant were veterans of many fields of battle. They had 
stood within the sound of the cannon at Bull Run ; they 
had slept in the trenches at Yorktown ; they were the first 
to cross the Chickahominy, and previous to that had re- 
ceived their first baptism of fire at Williamsburg, under 
the gallant Couch and Russell ; they were in the sanguinary 
l»attle of Fair Oaks and Golden's Farm ; they had covered 
the withdrawal of the Fourth Corps to the banks of the 
James ; they had stood with Hancock on the heights of 
MalvciMi ; had slei)t u[)on the battle-field of Antietain, and 
had l)cen with Burusidc at Fredericksburg, where human 
l)l()()d llowed like water; they had been with Hooker in his 
disastrous cami)aign of Chancellorsvillc, where men had 
yielded up their lives like the leaves of autumn which fall 
from the trees; they had been at Gettysl)urg, Kappahannoi-k 
Station, Mine Run, and in the Wilderness, under (Jrant 
and Meade. These were the veterans who lollowcd Ihi^ 
colors of the Seventh Massachusetts in llu> l)l(M»dy campaigns 
of (iianl and Meade. Is it necessary to say more, after 
men had had such ex[)erience and schooling in the arts of 
war? 



190 SEVENTH 3IASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

May 21, started at 9 p. 3I., on the road all night, march- 
ing fifteen miles towards North Anna River. Early in the 
morning halted for breakfast and rested in column until 
near 2 o'clock p. m. The boys spent the time in sleep and 
in bathing in a tributary of the North Anna. This part of 
Virginia had thus far escaped the ravages of war, and was 
a peaceful valley, with fine plantations. In this movement 
General Hancock's Second Corps led the army and crossed 
the rivers Po and Mattapony, and was ordered to take 
position at Milford Station, on the right bank of the Matta- 
pony. General Warren was directed to march on the 21st 
to Marrapona Church, crossing the Mattapony at Smith 
Mill, the Po at Stannard's Mill, and then move south by 
Mud Tavern and Thoruburg. Burnside was to follow 
Warren and Wright, who were ordered to concentrate their 
corps in the vicinity of the Gayle House, but were with- 
drawn on the 21st, and followed Hancock's route. 

General Lee, in the meantime, had learned of the move- 
ments, and moved his army immediately into position to 
check the advance of Meade and Grant upon the roads lead- 
ing to Richmond. General Hampton's cavalry was on the 
road between the Mattapony and Telegraph Road. General 
Breckinridge was at Hanover Junction, where he had come 
to reinforce Lee's army, after defeating General Siegel in 
the valley. 

On the 22d, passed Guiney's Station, Virginia. In the 
interim, the army had come up to the banks of the North 
Anna River, the Fifth Corps under Warren at Jericho 
Ford, and the Second Corps to Chesterfield Ford and bridge. 
The banks of the river were steep, and the engineers began 
laying the bridges and preparing the approaches as soon as 
they reached the river. General Warren was ordered to 
cross his corps at once, and to form line of battle to protect 
the bridges. Crawford ^vas on the left. Griffin in the centre, 
and Cutler on the right. Before Warren's lines were fully 



BATTLE OF NORTH ANNA RIVER. 191 

formed he was attacked by the enemy, and a very severe 
engagement ensned. The head of the Sixth Corps had 
reached Mount Carmel Church when the attack npon the 
Fifth Corps was commenced, and they inmiediately moved 
to the support of the Fifth Corps. General Edwards' bri- 
gade of the Second Division leading the corps early on the 
morning of the 24th, crossed the river and advanced to the 
right of the Fifth Corps, and threw up rifle-pits. On the 
25th, marched one mile, crossing the Virginia Central 
Railroad at Noel's Station, and were put out on the picket 
line. The men of the Seventh at this time were without 
food, except some very tough beef which had followed the 
army afar oS. The men being out of hard-tack, coffee and 
s;alt, the arm}' was now crawling upon its belly, as Napoleon 
says, our base of communication being moved to the 
Pamunky. On the 26th, the regiment was thrown to the 
extreme front, near Little River, where the enemy was in a 
formidable position. 

To fully understand the obstacles the army was meeting, 
it will be necessary to give the position of the rebel army 
at this time. Its centre rested upon the North Anna, near 
Ox Ford, extending along the bank of the river south about 
one mile, while its wings were withdrawn so that it gave 
Lee's army the appearance of a huge wedge ; and as Gen- 
eral Meade could not break the centre of Lee's army, he 
had no alternative except to cross above and l)eh)w his cen- 
tre, which necessitated the crossing of the river yomc four 
miles apart twice in reinforcing either wing. The left wing 
of Lee's army crossed and covered the Virginia Central 
Railroad, near Lowry's, and extended towards the Little 
River, resting upon an extensive swamp, while his rii:ht 
wing crossed the railroad near Miller's, and the rcluin 
covered Hanover Junction. This position of Lee was an 
exceedingly strong one, and oflered but poor opportunities 
for a direct attack with any prospect of success. Grant, 



192 5EVE>-TH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER ENFA^rTET. 

therefore, determined to witLdraw bis army and continue 
his movement to the south. 

The narrative says : The Seventh Regiment, with others, 
covered the withdrawal of the Sixth Coqjs, re-crossing the 
Virginia Central Railroad and North Anna River, marching 
all night, and crossing the Fredericksburg and Richmond 
Railroad at Chesterfield Station; distance marched, eighteen 
miles. General Russell of the Sixth Corps had had the 
advance, and with the cavalry divisions had crossed the 
river under Sheridan. On the morning of the 27th, Sheridan 
reported that he held Hanover Town, and ihat the crossing 
was made without much opposition. The other two divisions 
of the Sixth Corps, under Neil and Ricketts, were following 
Russell's division ver^- closeh*. On the 28th, marched five 
miles, crossing the Pamunk}' River, where we rested for 
the night. On the 29th, matched to Hanover Court House, 
four miles, and threw up rifle-pits. On the 31st, threw out 
pickets, and covered the withdrawal of our division from this 
position. June 1st, marched fifteen miles to Cold Harbor, 
which we reached at 2 p. m. The enemy was found in 
position. Sheridan on this day and the day before had a 
very severe action at Cold Harbor, but had been ordered by 
Meade to hold it at all hazards. He had dismounted his 
men, and had constructed rifle-pits, from which the rebels 
could not dislodge him. At night Sheridan held the ground, 
and to his assistance the Sixth Corps was marching with 
rapid strides to succor and sustain, before Lee could con- 
centrate to crush him. After the Sixth Corps came upon 
the ground. General Wright immediately formed his corps 
into columns of attack. 

But before we give a description of this battle, we will 
try to give a description of the movement of the army for 
two days previous to the battle of Cold Harbor. On May 
28, the Sixth Corps had crossed the Pamunky, and was in 
position across the Hanover Court House or river road, at 



ai?:my of the ,ta^[ks. 103 

CrnmiVs Creok. The Second Corps took position imme- 
diately on onr left. The Fifth Corps crossed the Pamnnky 
and was posted on the road leading to Richmond, its left 
near the Totopotonioy, near Hawes' Shop. The Ninth 
Corps crossed about midnight, leaving General Wilson with 
a division of cavalry on the north hank covering the trains. 
Gen. Warren received and repulsed a very spirited attack 
in the morning and evening of this day. Gen. Hancock 
was ordered to attack early in the day, but found no open- 
ing. On the night of the 31st, General Wright was ordered 
to make a night march and relieve Sheridan at Cold Harbor. 

But to fully understand the movement which culminated 
at Cold Harbor, we must take a glance at the Army of the 
James under Butler. When General Grant commenced 
operations in the Spring, he had concentrated about thirty 
thousand men at Fortress Monroe, to move up the James and 
secure a point as near Richmond as possible, and operate 
upon that stronghold from its southern approaches, a move- 
ment which has been very severely criticised. 

The Ainiy of the James consisted of the Tenth and 
Eighteenth Corps, commanded respectively l)y Major-Gen- 
erals Quincy A. Gilmore and VVm. F. Smith (Haldy Smith), 
and its cavalry division by Brigadier-General A. V. Kaiitz. 

The Tenth Corps was comjxjsed of three divisions, com- 
manded by Brigadier-Generals Terry, Turner and Ames, and 
numbered seventeen thousand nine hundred and twenlv-sjx 
men present for duty, with sixty-six cannon. 

The Eighteenth Corps consisted of three divisions, com- 
manded by Brigadier-Generals Brooks, VVeit/el and Hinks, 
numl>ering fifteen thousand three hundred and thirly-seven 
men, making in all as the number of infantry, otlieers and 
men, under General Butler, thirty-three thousand two hun- 
dicd and sixty-three, with eighty-two cannon. 

The cavalry numl)ered ninety-seven olliceis and two tlion- 
sand eight lnmdre(l ;ind four enlisted men, with six cannon, 

7 



194 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

aud in addition thereto was a colored brigade under Colonel 
West, numbering one thousand eight hundred strong. 

After a week or ten dajs of operations on the lines 
around Richmond, General Butler w^as forced back into his 
lines at Bermuda Hundreds, where he was safe from assault. 
He had followed the letter of his iustrnctions, and there- 
fore failed to seize Petersburg, the key to Richmond. The 
fault was with General Grant ; but if General Butler's 
force had been at Fredericksburg, probably Lee never 
would have reached Richmond, as Grant would have 
grasped Spottsylvania with his force, aud Lee would have 
been forced to retreat to the west of Richmond. -After it 
was apparent General Butler could not be successful, and 
the Army of the Potomac had reached the lines around 
Richmond, General Grant directed Butler to send him all 
of his forces that he could spare and still retain his grasp 
on Bermuda Hundreds. General Butler immediately dis- 
patched some sixteen thousand men, sixteen cannon, and a 
small squadron of cavalry, to the Army of the Potomac, the 
whole force being under command of Gen. W. F. Smith. 
His division commanders were Generals Brooks, Ames and 
Devens. The first commanded a division in tht Eighteenth 
Corps, while Ames and Devens commanded divisions under 
Smith in his own corps, the Tenth. These reinforcements 
were more than welcome, after the great slaughter on the 
overland route to Richmond. 

As the Second Division of the Sixth Corps was resting in 
line on the road leading to Old Cold Harbor, the division 
commanded by Gen. Devens of the Army of the James 
passed us as they filed into positifui on the right of the 
Sixth Corps. As Gen. Devens met his old companions-in- 
arms who had not seen him since the previous April, in 
1863, the greeting he received must have warmed his heart, 
as cheer upon cheer rent the air as he passed the old bri- 
irade, which had been commanded by such men as Couch, 
Devens, Brown, Eustis aud Edmunds. The boys were glad 



THE ASSAULT AT COLD HARBOR. 195 

to see him, for General Devens always held a warm plate 
in the affections of his men. This march through the night 
and the broiling sun of the day had been very exhausting, 
and the men were soon resting in all shapes l)eside the road 
in the shade of the trees. But soon the dogs of war were 
to open their mouths and reap their usual harvest of death 
on this bloody campaign. 

Shortly after 2 o'clock. General Wright formed his corps 
in mass by brigade, the First Division under Gen. Russell 
moving on the left of the Richmond road, while the right 
of the corps under Ricketts moved upon the right. Getty's 
old division, Gen. Neill commanding, formed on Russell's 
left in single line as support. Gen. Smith in the meantime 
had formed on the right of the Sixth Corps, Gen. Devens' 
division connecting with the right of that corps. Brooks 
next, and ^Nlartendale on his right and rear front. 

Prompt!}' at o'clock the lines advanced with a rush and 
cheer, and carried the rebel rifle-pits, capturing some six 
hundred prisoners and ten cannon. But then they were 
checked by the severe artillery fire from the rebel lines. 
Smith's corps kept pace on the right of the Sixth, capturing 
a number ofprisoners and cannon. While this movement 
was being made, the left brigade of Russell's division was 
much endangered by a flank movement of the Confederates, 
when the Fourth [brigade. Second Division, under P]dmunds, 
was moved on the double-quick to the extreme left of the 
line to protect that flank, under a very severe artillery fire. 

A very ridiculous incident occurred on this movement 
while we were forming line of battle. The rebels pushed 
forward a battery of artillery, supported by a brigade of in- 
fantry. In front of "our lines there was a Virginia snake- 
fence. The rear rank held every other man's gun in the 
front rank while they made a charge upon the fence as a 
basis for a rifle-pit. The rebels saw us coming and made a 
break for the cover of the woods, and gave us a very severe 
artillery fire. We threw up rifle-pits and rested for the 



V^fj SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUXTEEE rSTAXTEY. 

DJgfat. The next morning, June 2, marched to the right 
of the corjjs, and went into position where General Ricketts 
had charged the night V>efore. 

In the meantime General Hancock had formed upon the 
left of the Sixth Corps, prolonging the line to the left with 
the cavalry until it rested upon the Chickahominy River. 
On the morning of the /Jd received orders to attack at 4 
o'clock A. M, Gen. Wheaton'fe brigade formed the first line, 
Gen. Edmunds of the 37th Regiment, commanding the 
Fouith Brigade, supporting him in rear line. This assault, 
like all others except that at the "Angle," failed with im- 
mense slaughter. It is said that President Lincoln was so 
depressed at this useless slaughter that he came very near 
ordering a cessation of hostilities, as he thought he could 
not t'dCi; his Creatrjr and continue the sacrifice of life. 

The regimental narrative says : The Seventh was on 
constant duty by day and night, constantly exposed to the 
enemy's fire, and losing men daily, hjiving been greatly re- 
duced in numbers by the serious casualties of the campaign 
thus far. The duties of the regiment were unusually ardu- 
ous, the necessities of the position requiring almost con- 
stant duty in the front li/je. The regiment lost at Cold 
Harlx^r, and on the march from Spottsylvania Court House, 
thirty-nine killed, wounded and taken prisoners. 

On the night of the 12th the regiment moved out of the 
lin<*s at Cold Harbor and marched towards the James River. 
On the 13th marched twenty-five miles, crossing the (Jliick- 
ahominy River, and encan)[>ed for the night. 

i may here state, parenthetically, that 8eth T. Dunbar, 
of Company G, was the last ninn killed in the r<'ginj«;Mt, be- 
ing shot through the throat, .-iixJ bl(M;diijg to df-alh in ten 
uihtuUiH. We buried him wliere he fell. James F. Rrad- 
h-y. of Company K, was the last man woiii)d(;d, June H, 
marched four miles towards (Jharles City (j(jurt IIouhv., 
where we saw the waters of the James River. 




^^''''iimilijiiiiii||||i||!^^ 



i;. IK \\K ill'KKN. 
I'm ate C...*-' X." 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

RELIEVED FROM DUTY AND ORDERED HOME. - LETTERS OF GENERALS 

NEILL, DEVENS AND DAVIS. -MUSTER-ROLL OF THOSE WHO 

DIED IN FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. - 

FORMAL MUSTER-OUT. 

JUNE 15, 1864, bivouacked on the banks of the James 
River. The term of service of the Seventh Massachu- 
setts having expired this day, it was relieved from duty and 
ordered to Massachusetts to be mustered out of service. 
It was not without many a heart-ache that it was called up- 
on to turn from its path of glory, which it had followed 
with such honor to its country, state and county, and leave 
its many friends in the other regiments of the brigade. 

During the battle of Cold Harbor the regiment had been 
under the command, for a part of the time, of Captain Zel)a 
F. Bliss, who always proved himself capable of fulhlling all 
demands made upon him. He was a most excellent officer. 
Colonel Harlow returned to the regiment from the Thirty- 
seventh, which he had commanded since the battle of 
Spottsylvania Court House, May 13. Col. Johns had been 
to the rear sick, and Capt. Bliss had conunand of the regi- 
ment in his stead in the al)sence of Lieut. -Colonel Harlow 
and the Major, Joseph B. Leonard. The regiment slept 
sweetly and peacefully on the banks of the James, the first 
time for thirty days, for they had marched and fought con- 
stantly during that time, and no part of the lines or army 
had been exempt from being under fire for that number 
of days. 



198 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

In special orders trom division and brigade comniauderSy 
the regiment was thanked for the gallant and efficient ser- 
vice they had performed. On the morning of the 16th em- 
barked npon the steamer Keyport, and left Wilson's Land- 
ing, Virginia, on the James River, for Washington, D. C. 
Arrived in Washington abont 11 o'clock on the 17th, and 
at 6 p. M. took a special train for New York. At Philadel- 
phia we met with a flattering reception and hospitable en- 
tertainment by the citizens at the Soldiers' Home. At New 
York we were, comfortably quartered at the Park barracks, 
and on the evening of the 19th took a special train on the 
New Haven Railroad for Taunton, Massachusetts. Arrived 
in Taunton about 5 o'clock a. m. on the 20th, unexpectedly, 
but as soon as the citizens knew of our presence they turned 
out en masse, and after a most cordial reception by the 
mayor, who had wished us God-speed three long years be- 
fore, they provided us a most bountiful collation upon the 
Green. After the men had partaken of the repast furnished 
by the citizens, they were furloughed until the 4th of July, 
when they paraded and assisted the citizens of Taunton in 
the celebration of the anniversary of our National Inde- 
pendence. 

Having received several letters pa3'ing tribute to the gal- 
lant and meritorious services of the regiment, I take great 
pleasure in inserting them as a part of our history ; 

LETTER TO HON. JOHN D. LONG. 

Adjutant General's Office, 

Washington, July 29, 1886. 
Hon. John D. Long, House of Beprese^itatives, Washington, D. C. 
Sir, — Acknowledging the receipt, by reference from the War 
Department, of your letter of the 23d instant, requesting copies of 
an order of commendation and some final orders relating to the Sev- 
enth Massachusetts Volunteers, when the regiment left the army, I 



ORDERS OF DIVISION COMMANDER. 199 

have the honor to invite your attention to orders from Headquarters 
Second Division, Sixth Corps, dated June 14, 18G4, a copy of which 
is enclosed lierewith. 

I am sir, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

R. E. Drum, Adjutant-General . 

Ill pursuance to a request of mine to Governor Long, he 
very kindly forwarded to ine the following order, obtained 
from the War Department, and the author would here per- 
sonally extend to Governor Long the very respectful thanks 
of the historian of the committee for the promptness with 
which he responded to the call upon his very valuable time 
and patience, while in the House of Representatives at 
Washington, in procuring official dates for the completion 
of the Seventh's history : 

[COPY.] 

Headquakteks Second Division, Sixth Corps, 
June 14th, 18G4. 
ORDERS. 

The term of service of the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment 
having expired, the General commanding the Division desires to 
express his satisfaction with their conduct during the time they have 
been under his command. Of the previous history of the Regiment 
it is not needful that he should speak. He knows that the Seventh 
Massachusetts has always borne itself with great honor, and he feels 
that its name and that of its gallant leaders are too well known to 
recpiire any praise from him. 

Rut he desires more especially to thank them for what thoy have 
done while under his command ; above all for tlieir courage and 
steadiness in the battles of Spottsylvauia, where through the' whole 
day of May 12 they, in conjunction with Brown's Rhode Island 
battery, on skirmish line at the right of the "Angle," and in cou- 
iiuK'tiou with the rest of the Fourth Brigade, bore the brunt of the 
conflict and repulsed the repeated attacks of the enemy. 



200 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

In taking leave of the Seventh Massachusetts, the General com- 
manding congratulates them on the credit with which they have car- 
ried tlieir colors through the many and bloody actions they have 
been engaged in, and hopes that the remembrance of their deeds 
may excite their remaining comrades to maintain the honor of their 
old brigade. 

Signed, T. H. Neill, 

Brigadier- General commanding Division. 

Official: J. C. Kelton, Assistant Adjutant- General. 

A. G. Office, July 29, 1886. 

■i 

LETTER OF GEN. DEVENS. 

Boston, Mass., June 27, 1887. 

Dear Sir and Comrade, — I am very glad you will undertake 
to write the history of the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, which 
is certainly one of the most gallant regiments which Massachusetts 
sent forth to battle. It was in the First Brigade, which I had the 
honor to command, and to which I was assigued when we were be- 
foi-e Yorktown in April, 1862. I was with it in all the engagements 
of the Peninsula, except during the "seven days" battles, when I 
had been disabled on account of wounds received at Fair Oaks, and 
was absent from the brigade about six weeks. I rejoined it duriug 
the stay at Harrisou's Landing, and participated with the brigade 
at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and in all its other battles until April, 
18G3, when I was assigned to a division elsewhere. 

I cheerfully render my tribute of respect and regard to the Sev- 
enth Massachusetts. Often and often I have seen it under fire and 
in action, and have never seen it where it failed. Its men were of 
our best New England stock, and its officers were worthy of its 
name. They were patient and uncomplaining under hardships, they 
were obedient to the sternest duty, they were brave and devoted in 
battle, and they were loyal to the great cause of country. I revere 
the memory of their gallant dead who are gone before us, and I 
respect and honor the living who remain. 

While I was commander of the brigade, Col. David A. Russell 
was the colonel of the Seventh. He was the mode! of a soldier. 



LETTER OF BRIG. -GEN. DAVIS. 201 

simple iu manuers, careful in discipline, wise and resolute in actiou. 
He died uobly a soldier's death, but his name will never be forgotten 
by the soldiers of the Seventh Massachusetts, 

I wish it had been iu my power to have commanded the brigade 
iu which the gallant Seventh served better than I did, but the re- 
spect and kindness I have received from its soldiers since the war 
was over, and the brave and unyielding support I had from them 
while it endured, will never be forgotten. 

Wishing you success in your enterprise, I remain always, 
Your old friend and comrade, 

Chakles Devexs. 
Comrade N. V. Hutchinson. 

LETTER OF BRIG. -GEN. DAVIS. 

New York, May 6, 1887. 
Corp. N. V. Hutchinson, North Ahington, Mass. 

My Dear Sir., — I have just returned from a five months' ab- 
sence. Your favor of the 3d instant is at hand. You justly pay 
tribute to the gallant services of the old Seventh Massachusetts Vol- 
unteers in storming successfully, May 3, 18G3, Mayre's Heights in 
Virginia. I have reason to be proud of the faithful, efficient, gal- 
lant and patriotic services of said regiment, not only on that day, 
but throughout the late civil war ; first, because it came from my 
native state, and secondly, because once I had the honor to com- 
mand it. 

Its war record is a rich legacy to leave to the posterity of its 
members. I join with you all in commemorating the events of your 
campaigns, and in shedding the silent tear in the privacy of our own 
souls for the many brave comrades-in-arms who fell upon the bloody 
battle-fields of Virginia, whose only requiem is the sighing of winds 
and the song of birds. 

Health, prosperity, and a long life, with my cordial good wishes 
to you all, to whom I send greeting. 

Yours very truly. 

Nelson II. Davis, 
Brigadier- General U. S.A., {Retired. ) 

8 



202 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUXTEER IXFAXTRY. 

ROSTER OF THOSE WHO DIED IN FIELD AND 
GENERAL HOSPITALS. 

By Companies. 

Company' A. — Lawreuce Harding. Major Mouks. Daniel H. 
Peckham. Thomas A. Reed. Lincolu Ryersou. 

CoMPAXY B. — Hiram S. Beers. Bartley Galligan. Thomas A. 
Wallace, Stephen Hays. John G. Wright. 

CoMPAXY C. — George L. Dunham. Sergeant ; Michael Carey, 
James Scanlon. 

Company D. — Henry Beach, Corporal : Charles Burt. Orville S. 
Chase, William Craig. James T. Dean, John Dewsnap. Benjamin 
Farrell. James L. Gay. Royal Hathaway. James Henry. Andrew 
Leonard. James Mitchell. Charles A. Payton. Henry B. Smith. 

Company E. — Samuel Ewell. William 0. V. Rock wood. George 
Bent. John O. Hill, accidently shot Sept. 28, 1862, Sylvester 
Wheeler, John Scoff, Andrew Fais. 

Company F. — Webster Wordell. Corporal : John Buckley, Charles 
H. Corbett. Leonard A. Francis. Edward W. Hall. Luther Smith, 
Philo B. Wilbur. William J. Whitcomb. 

Company G.— James A. Humphieys. Jason F. Eldridge, Samuel 
H. Gilmore. Edward Hudson. Otis D. LeBarrou. Henry Wood- 
ward. 

Company H. — William A. M. Cobb. Charles A. Morse. 

Company I. — Abraham B. Savery. 1st Sergeant; Baylies B. 
Richards, Sergeant ; Henry P. Davenport, William Remlinger, 
Artemus W. Stanley, George H. Willis. 

Company K. — Benjamin F. Hutchinson. Corporal ; Frederick 
Cook. Augustus F. Elms. Georee F. Graves. James G. Harvev. 



FORMAL MUSTER-OUT OF THE REGIMENT. 203 

These are the hirgei' part of the men who died in Held and 
general hospitals. There were some of the wonnded who 
died from their wounds after the regiment was mustered 
out, but this is as correct as can be given after twenty-seven 
years have elapsed since first the regiment was mustered 
into service. 

I have prepared this roster that the friends of those who 
died in hospitals can see they are remembered as well as 
those who suffered fatalities upon the battle-field, and are 
held in the same just and sacred remembrance as those 
who died upon the fields of battle. The whole number who 
died in field and general hospitals was sixty-one. 

July 5 the regiment was formally mustered out of ser- 
vice to return to the pursuits of civil lite, the same honest, 
earnest citizens of the Commonwealth as when they 
started three long years before from its honored pre- 
cincts to put down armed rebellion, and with the great 
armies of the North returned to the ordinary pursuits 
of citizenship, with their morality and Christian character 
unimpaired. 

Comrades and friends, the work is con)plcted, and al- 
though very imperfect, it has cost abundant laljor in time 
and money. Many obstacles have arisen to make it thus 
imperfect. More than a quarter of a century has elapsed, 
and the mustei'-roU of our dead is far greater than that of 
the living, and in their breasts are locked many incidents 
which only the resurrection to life can renew. Therefore 
judge leniently of its imperfections. 

The flag of the Seventh rests in Doric Hall, State House. 
Boston, Massachusetts, — the emblem of liberty, and which 
its men followed through heat and rain, sickness and pain, 
wounds and death I Its sacred folds are dear to their hearts, 
and may its honor never be sullied by the generations to 
come. 



204 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

rostf:r of the army of the potomac while 

under the command of major-general 

gp:orge b. mcClellan. 

After the dcfont of Brigadier-Goneral Irwin McDowell, 
iit Bull Run, the Army of the Potomac was organized into 
divisions, commanded respectively b}' Franklin, McCall 
and King, Sumner, Richardson, Blenker, Sedgwick, Heint- 
zehnan, F. J. Porter, Hooker, Hamilton, Keys, Smith and 
Casey, Banks, Williams and Shields. 

ARMY CORPS. 

On the 8th of March, 1862, President Lincoln ordered 
the formation of Army Corps. The folh)wing is his order 
as issued. 

E^XKCUTiVE Mansion, 
Washin(;ton. D. C, Maicl) 8tl), \HG2. 
General War Order No. 2. 

Ordered., 1st. That the Msijor-Geueral cominiuiding the Army 
of the Potomac proceed forthwith to organize that part of said Army 
destined to enter upon active operations (including the reserve, bnt 
excluding the troops to be left in the fortifications about Wasliing- 
ton,) into four Army Corps to be commanded according to seniority 
of rank as follow!?: 

First Corps to consist of four divisions, and to be commanded by 
Maj.-Gen. 1. McDowell. Second Corps to consist of tliree divisions 
and to be commanded by Brig. -Gen. E. V. Sumner. Third Corps 
to consist of three divisions and to be commanded by Brig. -Gen. S. 
P. Heiotzelman. Fourtli Corps to consist of three divisions and to 
be commanded by Brig. E. D. Keys. 

2d. That the divisions now commanded by the officers above 
assigned to commands of army corps shall be embraced in and form 
a part of their respective corps. 

3d. The forces left for the defence of Washington will be placed 



ROSTER OF ARMY OF Till? rOTOMAC. 205 

in coinmaud of Brig. -Gen. Jame.s WadHwortli, who sliall be mili- 
tary goverDor of the District of Columbia, 

4th. That this order shall be executed with such promptness 
and disjjatch as not to delay the commencement of the operations al- 
reaily directed to be undertaken by the Army of the Potomac. 

•oth. A Fifth Army Corps, to be commanded by Maj.-Oeii. 
Banks, will be formed from his own and General Shields', late 
General Landers,' division. 

Ahraiiam Lincoln. 

Ill compliniice with the order of the President, General 
McClellan issued the following order: 

ARMY CORPS. 

Hi:ai)Quarti:us Au.my ok thk Potomac, 
Fairfax Court House, Va., March 13th, 1862. 

General Order No. 101 : 

In compliance with the President's War Order No. 2. of March 
•■^tli, 1HG2, the active portion of the Army of the Potomac is formefl 
into Army Corps as follows : Fir.st Corps, Maj.-Gen. Irwin Mc- 
Dowell, to consist for the present of the divisions of Franklin, Mc- 
C'all and King. Second Corps, Brig. -Gen. Sumner, divisions, 
Richardson, Blenker and Sedgwick. Third C'orps, Brig. -Gen. S. 
V. lleintzelman. divisions, F. J. Porter, Hooker and Hamilton. 
Fourth Corps, Brig. -Gen. E. D. Keys, divi.^ions. Couch, Smith and 
Ca.sey. Fifth Corps. Maj. N. P. Banks, divisions, Williams and 
Shields. The cavalry regiments attached to divisions will for the 
present remain so. Subserjuent orders will prevail for the regiments 
as well as for the reserve artillery, regular artillery and regular cav- 
alry. Arrangements will be made to unite the divisions of each 
army corps us promptly as possible. The commanders of divisions 
will at once report in person, or where that is impossible, by letter, 
to the commander of their corps. 

By command of iMa.jor (iKNKRAi, McCi.kllan. 
A. V. CoLHURN, Asst. Adft. Gmt'l. 



206 SEVENTH massm:;husetts volunteer infantry. 

The infantry troops sent to the Peninsnla under the com- 
mand of Gen. McClelhin consisted of the Second Corps 
under General Sumner; Third Corps, Heintzelman ; Fourth 
Corps, E. D. Keys. 

The Second Corps had as division commanders, Richard- 
son and Sedgwick, consisting of the following brigades : 
Richardson's Division — First Brigade, Howard's ; Second 
Brigade, Meagher's Irish Brigade ; Third Brigade, French's. 
Sedgwick's Division — First, Gorman's Brigade; Second, 
Burns'; Third, Dana's. Blenker's Division detached and 
assigned to the Mountain Department. 

The Third Corps, General Heintzelman, consisted of 
Porter's Division of three brigades — First Brigade, Marten- 
dale's; Second, Monell's ; Third, Butterfield's. The Second 
Division, commanded by Hooker, consisted of the following 
brigades: First Brigade, Sickles'; Second, Nagle's ; Third, 
Col. Starr's. The Third Division consisted of the First 
Brigade, Jameson's; Second, Birney's ; Third, brigade 
officer unknown. 

The Fourth Corps, infantry. General E. D. Keys com- 
manding, consisted of First Division, Maj.-Gen. D. N. 
Couch, commanding — First Brigade, Graham's, consisted 
of the following regiments : 67th New York Vols., (1st L. 
I.), 65th New York Vols. (1st U. S. Chass.), 23d Penn. 
Vols., 31st Penn. Vols., 61st Penn. Vols. Gen. Peck's 
Brigade consisted of the 98th Penn. Vols., 102d Penn. 
Vofs., 93d Penn. Vols., 62d New York Vols., 55th New 
York Vols. Gen. Devens' Brigade consisted of the follow- 
ing regiments : Couch's Old Brigade ; Third Brigade ; 
Second Rhode Island Volunteers, Col. Frank Wheaton ; 
7th Massachusetts Volunteers, Col. David A. Russell ; 
10th Massachusetts, Col. Henry L. Briggs ; 36th New York, 
Col. Welch. 

There was also sent to McClellan on the Peninsula, 
Franklin's Division of the First Corps, consisting of Kear- 



ROSTER OF ARMY OF THE 'POTOMAC. 207 

iiey's Brigade, Stevens', Newton's ; also McCall's Division 
of tlie same, consisting of Reynolds', Meade's and Ord's. 

After the defeat of General Pope at Bull Run and the 
reorganization of the army under McCiellan, it consisted of 
the First Corps, Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth and 
Twelfth, commanded as follows : First Corps by Ma] .-Gen. 
Joseph Hooker; Second Corps by Maj.-Geu. E. V. Sum- 
ner ; Third Corps by Brig. -Gen. Jesse L. Reno ; Sixth 
Corps by Maj.-Gen. William B. Franklin; Fifth Corps by 
]Maj. -Gen. Fitz John Porter; Ninth Corps by Maj.-Gen. 
Ambrose E. Burnside ; Twelfth Corps by Maj.-Gen. AVil- 
liams. The division of Couch was shortly incorporated in 
the Sixth Corps commanded by Maj.-Gen. Franklin. 

After the battle of Antietam the army was further reor- 
ganized by the appointment of G<fneral Couch to command 
the Second Corps, Gen. Sumner having to retire from the 
effects of age and sickness. After the removal of General 
McCiellan, General Burnside who was appointed in his 
stead as connnander of the army, reorganized his army and 
formed it into three Grand Divisions as follows : First 
Grand Division commanded by Gen. E. V. Sumner; 
Second Grand Division by Maj.-Gen. Joseph Uooker; 
Third Grand Division by Gen. William B. Franklin. The 
Corps were. First Grand Division, Second and Ninth, Wil- 
cox's, Hooker's, The Old Fifth and Third ; the Left Grand 
Division, The Sixth Corps and First: commanded as fol- 
lows : The First, Maj.-Gcn. John Reynolds; The Second, 
Maj.-Gen. Darius N. Couch; Third Corps, Maj -Gen. But- 
tertield ; Fifth Corps, Maj.-Gen. Stoneman ; The Sixth, 
Maj.-Gen. William B. Smith; The Ninth, Maj.-Gen. Cad- 
mus Wilcox. The Sixth Corps at the tirst battle of Fred- 
ericksburg, under General Burnside, consisted of the divi- 
sions of Brooks, Newton and Howe. 

Newton's Division consisted of the brigades of Cochrane, 
Devens and Rowley. After the dcleat of Burnside, and 



208 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Gen. Hooker had reorganized the army, it consisted of the 
First Corps, Third, Fifth, Sixth, Eleventh and Twelfth, 
commanded as follows: First Corps, Maj.-Gen. John 
Reynolds; Second, Gen. D. N. Couch; Third, Maj.-Gen. 
Daniel Sickles ; Fifth, Maj.-Gen. George Gordon Meade; 
Sixth, the lamented Sedgwick had command; Eleventh, 
Maj.-Gen. O. O. Howard; Twelfth, Maj.-Gen. Williams. 

There was no material change in the commands of the 
corps and divisions until after the battle of Gettysburg, 
when Meade reorganized the army, and Gen. Sickles re- 
tired from the command of the Third Corps, on account of 
wounds, and Gen. French took command. Gen. Couch 
had in the meantime resigned his command of the Second 
Corps, feeling that the men would be cruelly slaughtered 
under the command of Gen. Hooker, and Gen. Winfield 
Scott Hancock took command of the old Second Corps. 
Maj.-Gen. Newton retired from the command of the Sixth 
Corps, and took command of the First Corps, and General 
Terry took command of Couch's old division. 

After Gettysburg the Second Corps was commanded by 
Maj.-Gen Warren, the Sixth by Sedgwick, the First by 
Newton, the Twelfth by Slocum, and so remained with 
few changes until the army passed under General Grant's 
command, when the roster of the army was changed as fol- 
lows : The First Corps was broken up, as also was the old 
Third, and the different regiments were merged in the 
Second, Fifth and Sixth Corps, commanded respectively 
by Maj.-Gen. W. S. Hancock, Maj.-Gen. Goveneur K. 
Warren and Maj.-Gen. John Sedgwick. The cavalry was 
commanded by the renowned Maj.-Gen. Philip Sheridan. 

The Sixth Corps had as division commanders : First 
Division, Major-General H. G.Wright; Second Division, 
Brigadier-General George W. Getty; Third Division, 
Brigadier-General James B. Ricketts, formerly commanded 
by Smith. 



ROSTER OF AR>IY OF THE ROTO:\IAC. 20;) 

The changes of the Sixth Corps were : — The woimdiiig of 
Getty in the Wilderness and the appointment of Wheaton 
to command ; the wonnding of Wheaton and the appoint- 
ment of General Thomas Neill to command; the killing 
of Sedgwick, May 9th, and appointment of General Wright 
to command of corps ; the transfer of General Eustis to 
command of Fonrth Brigade, First Division; appointment 
of Colonel Edwards of the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts 
to command of brigade; the wounding of Lieut. -Col. Mon- 
tague of the Thirty-seventh and transfer of Lieut.-Col. F. P. 
Harlow of the Seventh to command the same, until his 
term of service had expired and Col. Montague had returned 
to command the Thirty-seventh. 

Which ends the term of service of the Seventh Massa- 
chusetts in the war of the Rebellion, and for reference to 
further work of the old Division you are referred to Sheri- 
dan's Valley Campaigns and Humphrey's Campaigns of the 
Army of the Potomac in the years 1864-5. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS, - VISIT OF PRESIDENT 

LINCOLN TO COLUMBIA COLLEGE HOSPITAL. - SIGHTS AT 

THE REAR OF LINE OF BATTLE. 

AS soon as the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment had 
established camp at Kalorama, Surgeon Hohnan, 
and his assistant, Z. Bo^leston Adams, had their tents 
erected, and, as the climatic change began to operate upon 
the boys, the castor-oil began to run, and some of it went 
down many of the poor soldiers' throats, with added par- 
egoric or sulphuric ether, w^iich quenched the ardor ot 
many a hospital visitant as its ditfusive influences were felt 
in the soldiers' S3stem. 

There were no very severe cases of fever or other dis- 
eases in this camp, as it was situated upon a very con- 
venient ridge of hills. The surgeon of the regiment, S. 
Atherton Holman, and his assistant, Z. Boyleston Adams, 
with C. H. Eldridge, hospital steward, and his assistant, J. 
Gallagher, made a very efficient corps with which to entrust 
the sick and wounded. After the regiment removed to 
Camp Brightwood, on 7th street, and as the fall of the 
year came on, and the men were exposed to the effects of 
the chilly nights, standing guard around the camp and on 
picket duty on the Rock Creek road, leading to Tennelly- 
town, the roll of the sick increased. Typhoid fever be- 
came very prevalent, from which disease Major Monks and 
Michael Cary, of Co. A, died; also, Samuel Elwell of Co. 
E, and Augustus Elms and James G. Harvey of Co. K. 
These were the tirst to succumb to that tatal and dreaded 
disease. 




A1.151:R1- S. I'AI MI'.K 
St-rgcanl Co. " A."" 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 211 

General ^IcClcllan, in his report fnrnishetl the War De- 
partment, says : "■For the operations of the medical depart- 
ment, I refer to the reports transmitted herewith of Snrgeon 
Chas. S. Tripler and Snrgeon Jonathan Letterman, who in 
turn performed the duties of medical director of the Army of 
the Potomac, — the former from August 12, 18(51, until July 
1, 1862, and the latter after that date. The difficulties to 
lie overcome in organizing and making effectual the med- 
ical department were very great, arising principally from 
the inexperience of the regimental medical officers, many of 
whom were physicians taken suddenly from civil life, who 
according to Surgeon Tripler, 'had to be instructed in their 
duties from the very alphabet,' and from the ignorance of the 
line officers as to their relations with the medical officers, 
which gave rise to confusion and conflict of authority. 
Boards of examination were instituted, by which many in- 
com[>etent officers were removed, and by the successive ex- 
ertions of Surgeons Tripler and Letterman, the medical 
corps was brought to a very high degree of efficiency. 
With regard to the sanitary condition of the army while on 
the Potomac, Dr. Tripler says that the records show a con- 
stantly increasing immunity from disease. In October and 
November, 1861, with an army averaging one hundred and 
thirty thousand men, we had seven thousand nine hundred 
and thirty-two cases of fever of all sorts ; ot these, one thou- 
sand were reported as cases of typhoid fever. I know that 
errors of diagnosis were fref^uently made, therefore this miist 
be considered as the limit of typhoid cases. If any army in 
the world can show such a record as this I do not know 
when or where it assembled. From September, 1861, to 
Fel)ruary, 1862, while the army was increasing in numbers, 
the sick decreased from 7 per cent, to 6.18 per cent. Of 
these, the men sick in the regimental and general hospitals 
numbered less than one-half. The remainder were slight 
cases under treatment at '(piarters." During this time, so 



212 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

iar as rumor was concerned, the army was being decimated 
ev'ery month by many and various diseases. 

The health of the Seventh Regiment remained in vei-y 
good condition until the measles were introduced into the 
camp by some bummer from Washington. No doubt 
the arduous work of building the houses in which the regi- 
ment lived through the winter, with the very severe winter 
and early spring weather, prepared the systems of the men 
for the contagion to root and take hold of in the severest 
manner. There were in all sixty cases, of severe and slight 
attacks. Lieutenant Charles Hathaway of Co. F was quite 
sick, while Lieutenant Lothrop of ('o. G had a more severe 
attack. A regimental hospital was established on 14th 
street, in a commodious brick building, to which place the 
infected were speedily ordered. The epidemic broke out in 
the middle of February, soon after the order of Abraham 
Lincoln that the armies of the Union should advance and 
attack the enemy. It did not discompose the enemy much, 
but those who were suflering from the measles were many 
of them fatally injured by their removal from the field hos- 
pitals to the general hospitals in Washington, by exposure 
to the inclemency of the weather, and by which exposure 
many of the cases were turned into the severest type of ty- 
phoid measles. 

When the Seventh ^Massachusetts moved forward on the 
Manassas Gap raid, under General McClellan, it had twent\'- 
five men in various stages of the disease. They were re- 
moved to Armory Square and Columbia College Hospital 
on Meridian Hill, Washington, D.C., and of the twenty-five, 
ten of them died in these hospitals from exposure in the 
transportation. Those who died were: In Company D, 
James Henry, James T. Dean, Henry Beach ; Company E, 
William O. V. Rockwood, George Bent, Sylvester Wheeler, 
John Scoff, Andrew Fais ; Company F, Philo B. Wilbur, 
William J. Whitcomb. 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 213 

The weather was cold and stormy, raining and freezing 
into sleet. Some died in three or four days after the ar- 
rival at the hospitals. We arrived at the College at about 
11 o'clock A. M., and were assigned rooms in the west wing 
of the building, in Mrs. Pomeroy's ward, who also had gen- 
eral supervision of nurses in the hospital. At that time, 
March 2, 1861, she was in the full power of strong and well 
developed womanhood. Calm and sagacious, she moved 
around among the suflfering men with a quiet dignity we 
will never forget, and many were the silent benedictions 
craved for her well-being by the soldiers who felt her gentle 
touch and soothing presence. What Mother Bickerdilke 
was to the West, Mrs. Pomeroy and others were to the 
Army of the East. 

The College hospitals and others were under the super- 
vision of Dr. Abedee, and his assistants were Drs. Uervy 
and Dubois. While in this hospital the President made 
us a visit, accompanied by Lord Lyons, Secretary Seward, 
Chase, Stanton, and one or two others whose names I do not 
bring to mind at present. Previous to this visit, the crew 
of the Congress, one of our naval vessels, had reported and 
rendezvoused at the College. Shortly after 1 o'clock. May 
15, 1861, Abraham Lincoln and his escort came to the 
hospital. After he had rested he came to the upper wards 
first. Those who could stand did so, while others who 
were too weak sat upon the edge of the army bedstead of 
substantial iron frame. As that tall, homely form came into 
the room, every man gave him a respectful salute. With a 
tiim step and eager countenance he grasped the hand of 
every soldier in the room, with a kindly word for all, and 
a "'How are you getting along?" He came and went a na- 
ture's nobleman. That rugged, honest countenance had only 
to be seen once, and that giant intellect always left its im- 
press, never to fade so long as the mind can retain its ac- 
tion. Of all the cortege, only Lincoln's tace comes up dis- 



214 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

linctly and plain after twenty-eight years have passed away. 
After he had visited every ward and soldier in the hospital, 
he went to see and shake hands with the crew of the sunken 
fleet at Fortress Monroe, Anions: them were several men 
whose skin was of sahle hne, bnt Lincoln treated all alike. 
God bless his noble memory, — a spectacle to the world and 
a warning to the effete monarchies of the old world, that in 
a trne repnblic all men are equal before the laws no matter 
what color or previous condition of life. This, I think, 
was the crowning incident of that visit, the virtual ac- 
knowledgment that the negro was his brother man, The 
incident was long remembered and talked about in the 
hospital. 

The l)oys were slow to recover from the effects of the 
measles. Spring had come, the birds had carolled their 
songs, the buds had lilossomed, the leaves were growing 
tinoly, and the College grounds seemed almost a paradise 
upon earth, when the monotony was broken by the arrival 
of fifty wounded from tlie battle-field of Williamsl)urg, 
some with ghastly wounds in legs, arms and body. All 
was bustle and confusion, and many of the boys thought 
that war was indeed a horrible thing, Mrs. Pomero}' ^vas 
present almost everywhere; she seemed ubiquitous. The 
writer saw her hold a basin for llie cleansing of a wound 
where a piece of shell had struck the thigh and shattered 
the bone very much. She held the water with not a tremor, 
while Dubois probed to find the pieces of bone and remove 
them. 

Soon the hosjiital became crowded, and those who had 
so far recovered were ordered to Fort DeKalb Convalescent 
Camp, Va., which had been estal)Iished upon the estate of 
the rebel general Robert E. Lee. This estate of Lee's was, 
for scenic beauty, hardly equalled either on this continent 
or in Europe. It lay upon the right bank of the Potomac, 
a few minutes' walk below the Aqueduct bridge that enters 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 215 

the city of Georgetown, a suburb of Washington. The Po- 
tomac at the point where Lee's estate adjoined spread out 
into a broad and beautiful expanse of water, more like an 
inland lake than a river. Below the estate nearly one-half 
mile, and one mile below the Aqueduct bridge, Long bridge 
spanned the river like a long thread, and over this bridge 
the first invasion of the "sacred soil" was made. 

The house known as Arlington, Lee's abode, was an old- 
fashioned manor-house, with a very large portico, support- 
ed l)y immense columns of brick and wood. The main 
building was rather small, containing some six or seven 
rooms, and was mostly portico, like the Southern Rebel- 
lion, — all portico and no principle behind it. However, 
this estate was the most beautiful the eye could scan. Be- 
neath its heights lay the placid waters of the Potomac, while 
across the river in almost a straight line could be seen 
Pennsylvania Avenue, bordered with trees. At its head 
rises the Capitol in magnificent array, its marble porticos 
shimmering in beauty as the sun sinks behind the western 
hills at eventide, while his morning glory gilds the dome 
surmounted by the Goddess of Liberty. On either side are 
the Treasury buildings, Post-office, Smithsonian Institute, 
and the White House, embowered with the southern mag- 
nolia trees and other foliage most pleasing to the eye, while 
Georgetown above and Alexandria below, in the early days 
of the war, enterprising commercial ports, exporting large 
quantities of coal and tobacco, were in plain sight from 
the estate. 

Early on the morning of June 3, 1862, some one hundred 
and fifty men were ordered across the river to the camp 
formed to receive them. The weather in the meantime had 
grown sultry and depressing, and as the boys formed in line 
gentle showers commenced falling, but we were soon under 
cover in the ambulances sent to convey us across the river. 
After a pleasant drive of over an hour we arrived at the 



216 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

house of Gen. Lee. "We were soon divided into squads and 
given diflerent rooms to sleep in during the night. Early 
iu the morning the boys were astir, fell in, and took up 
their way to the camp, where there had been pitched some 
lift}' Sibley tents, with floors to sleep on. The camp was 
most pleasantly situated, both as regards location for water 
to drink and to bathe in. The bathing was excellent, a 
quick stream breaking forth from the bluff and wending its 
way down towards the Potomac above the Aqueduct bridge, 
making a fall of some eight feet over a limestone formation, 
falling in gentle spray into a pool worn to receive it bv at- 
trition of the gentle falling waters, while under the spray 
rose a ledge of solid stone some four feet or more wide, 
upon which you could sit and receive the waters upon the 
person. This pool was embowered in thick foliage, and 
only a few knew of its position, the most of the invalids 
bathing in the Potomac. 

Under the genial rays of the warm Southern sun, and 
with plenty of fresh air, the men quickly improved. They 
w^ere free from restraint, being allowed to go au3'where ex- 
cept across the river, which gave some of the boys too free 
access to the "tangle-foot" of which they would freely im- 
bibe. So the month of June wore away, and July was 
ushered in with heat and thunder-showers almost every 
afternoon. 

McClellan had toiled up the Peninsula, only to be driven 
back to rest under the shelter of the gunboats and a strong 
position on the James, but as the morning of the 4th of 
Julv dawned it was determined to celebrate the anniversary 
of the day of our independence from British rule in a com- 
mendable manner. At early sunrise all the forts around 
Washington boomed forth the national salute of thirty -two 
guns to usher in the eventful day. By ten o'clock in the 
morning the boys had got very dry in the hot sun and 
bleaching winds of the South, so a scheme was devised 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 217 

wherchy tlu^ moisture of ilic diiy could be increased. There 
hnppcncd to be in our camp a half-breed Indian from the 
Adirondack regions of Now York, who was a most excellent 
swimmer. The Potomac river narrowed very suddenly just 
al)ove the Aqueduct bridge, which carried across its waters 
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and in the centre there 
happened to be a rock very nearly sul)merged, upon which 
a swinnner could rest. So after taking up a general contri- 
l)ution, he was sent across the river into Georgetown to get 
some good old rye whiskey, the river being about three- 
eighths of a mile wide at this particular [)oiiit. With what 
paljjitating hearts the squad of -watchers scanned the water 
as he dove boldly in, reached the ledge, rested, and struck 
out for the opposite shore. We saw him slowly dress, (as 
he had swam the liver with his clothes strapped on his 
head,) and go up into Georgetown. Soon he returned, 
bringing with him a two-gallon jug. He quickly strii)ped 
and plunged in, and after a struggle rea(;hed the half-way 
resting place. After stopping here a moment he struck 
out for the shore, which he soon reached. That jug went 
back and forth upon its mission several times that day, and 
as the d.iy drew to a close the stars and stripes which float- 
ed from the flag-stafl' in Fort DeKall) seemed to l)e stud- 
ded with legions of stars, and folds and strii)es without 
number. 

The jubilee wound up with a grand display of tire- 
works, but the boys were in the bt-st of spiiits and temper, 
and there were no serious abi'asions. The sober restrained 
their weaker brethi'en, and the oth'cers of the Fourth 
New York Heavy Artilhnv seemed to be al)out as deeji 
in the mud as were the sick l)oys under their charge. 
AI)out 10 o'clock the celebration wound up witli a grand 
fnsilade of rockets, red-lights and seipents, and quiet 
and rest fell upon a seriously exhausted l)attalion of con- 
valescents. 

10 



218 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Early on the morning of the 8th of Jnly salt rations were 
ordered to be cooked, and it was rumored that we were go- 
ing to re-inforce "Little Mac.," who was very tired after 
the pounding Lee gave him in the "seven days' fight." On 
the morning of July lOth salted rations and hard-tack were 
issued, with the usual small moity of sugar and coffee, and 
orders came to form line. Some two hundred were 
ordered to rejoin their regiments, which were with the 
Army of the Potomac. We fellinto line and were put un- 
der an ofl:cer sent from Washington, who had been sick 
and belonged to the New Jersey brigade, under General 
Philip Kearney. After roll-call we started for Long bridge, 
and tiled aboard the steamboat Daniel Webster, the same 
which had conveyed the Seventh in April, 1861, to the 
Peninsula. 

We had a most excellent voyage down the bay. Wesley 
Bridges of Co. F was on the boat, and we soon be- 
came bunk-mates. Bridges was a good and earnest man ; 
he fell mortally wounded in the charge on Mayre's Heights. 
Shortly after dusk of evening we sighted the immense fleet 
of war and transport vessels at Fortress Monroe, one of the 
most beautiful sights that an observer could see, — lights of 
red, white and blue, with fore and mizzen lights, fore-peak 
lights, and the glare of light from the huge frigates and 
line-of-battle ships, made a varying and beautiful panorama. 
At this time the Avooden walls of Old England ruled the 
seas. But just around the point lay a new invention of 
Ericsson's which was to revolutionize the building of navies, 
and since that epoch of the tight between the Monitor and 
Merrimac, iron has been the material of construction used 
in the* navies of the world. 

Shortly after 9 o'clock we dropped anchor in Hampton 
Roads, after being challenged and boarded by the picket- 
boat of the squadron. We lay at anchor all night, when we 
steamed up the James river to tind the army, which was at 




(HAS. r. RoniNSON, 
C"ai)tain Co. " C." 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 219 

Ilnrrison's Landing. After a tramp of three miles out to 
the front lines, Bridges and myself found our regiment, hut 
very much decimated by disease. The hoys welcomed us 
back with many a grim joke of "Tenderfoot !" and "You'll 
soon grow lean on hard-tack and pork ! ' We had got into 
fine condition after our measles, and before we had 
another chance to fat up we needed all we carried to the 
Peninsula. 



(CHAPTER XXV. 

INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS (Contmued,)-THE WOUNDED 

AT FREDEEIOKSBURG.-LIFE IN ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, NEW 

TORK,-AN INCIDENT OF THE NEW YORK RIOT, 

THE Army of the Potomac under Hooker met with a 
very severe repulse at Chancellorsville, losing some 
seventeen thousand men, all told, in killed, wounded and 
missing. In the charge of the Sixth Corps upon the heights 
of Fredericksburg it suffered severely, more especially 
Newton's division, and Brown's brigade of that division still 
more severely, according to its numbers. The Seventh 
Massachusetts, which had been chosen by Generals Sedg- 
wick and Newton to lead the assault upon the key-point of 
the position, lost about 150 men, all told, some twenty- 
nine killed and over one hundred severely wounded. 

The surgeons were in their glor3\ Amputating tallies 
were plenty, and many a poor boy felt for the first time the 
keen blade of the surgeon's knife as it carved its way to the 
bone, preparatory to receiving the saw. There were many 
who came out of that battle maimed for life, which no 
money can ever restore, or assuage the anguish, as they 
first come to realize they have lost a leg or arm, hand or 
foot, and must go through the world maimed and dis- 
figured. 

The field hospital of the Sixth Corps was established over 
the hill to the left of the Orange Court House plank road, 
and soon its capacity was filled to overflowing, and those 
who were not so seriously wounded lay around it beside 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 221 

huge fires of rails taken from the adjoining fences. The 
shrieks of the poor fellows were very heart-rending as the 
surgeons probed the wounds, and to any one who was 
wounded and had lost quantities of blood it was very jarring 
to the nerves. It is but a litlle while and then the shriek 
is past, the excitement is gone, and nature begins to assert 
her sway ; limbs and body grow stiff and sore, and you can 
only be moved with intense pain. Some thirty of the Sev- 
enth hiy in this hospital severely wounded. 

On the morning of the 4th of May, 1803, orders came to 
send the wounded to Fredericksburg, as the rebels were 
making very severe demonstrations in that direction, and 
General Sedgwick gave orders to clear the field of the 
wounded. Soon a long ambulance train was loaded to its 
utmost capacity, and commenced its tortuous journey 
toward the city, over one of the most execrable roads in 
existence, broken and sadly out of repair. It was the long- 
est three miles that was ever rode in this world. Just as 
we reached the city of Fredericksburg the rebel general 
Early captured some four or five of the rear end of the train. 
We went down into the city on the keen jump as soon as 
the drivers knew the "rebs" were after them. We were 
unloaded in front of a large tobacco factory, which was used 
as a hospital while the city was in possession of the Union 
forces. We had not been there more than an hour when 
the surgeon in charge s^avc the orders to every one ^Yho 
could ci'awl to make an effort to get across the river. Some 
ten or twelve of the regiment commenced the laborious 
work of crawling and hitching towards the bridge, and 
thence across the river at the up[)er portion of the city. It 
took us almost two hours to crawl that distance. In the 
interim the "Johnnies" had got the heights, and were send- 
ing the spiteful missiles into the streets of the city, while 
overhead whistled and roared the shot and shell from the 
siege guns on Stafford Heights, supported by a field bat- 



222 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

tery. It was near 1 1 o'clock before we got across the river. 
Many were helped in their efforts by men of the constrnc- 
tion corps, who made chairs of guns and pieces of wood, 
and cairied many a poor soldier across the river to the land 
of safety. We were removed to the rear of the first blnfl", 
where the second division hospital had been established to 
receive the wounded of the day previous in the charge of 
the Sixth Corps on the heights. 

There w^ere many of the Seventh Massachusetts who re- 
ceived very severe wounds in the thigh, necessitating am- 
putation. In the hospital with the writer there was Wil- 
liamson of Co. K, and Sergeant Edward James of same 
company ; Goss of Co. A was in another tent a short dis- 
tiuice away; Severns of Co. E, and others, who were very 
severely wounded. By sundown we were well under cover. 
During the night it rained very hard and cleared the atmos- 
phere, which had been very sultry. As many of the wounds 
had been neglected, the cooling of the atmosphere by rain 
was very refreshing, and as we lay very near the edge of 
the tent upon the ground several of us thrust our wounded 
legs out into the rain, and never did any shower-bath i-e- 
lieve and allay the fever of limb better than that natural 
shower on Stafford Heights in May, 1863. 

ShortI}' after the sun had risen on the 5th of May we 
wore ordered to go to Falmouth Station, from which place 
we were to be taken in cars to Aqua Creek, Va., thence to 
be transported to Washington, After about one and one- 
half hours' ride we reached the landing, and were quickly 
put aboard the hospital boat, to be forwarded to Washing- 
ton, D. C. Our destination was Campbell Hospital. While 
on the boat one of the Sixth Maine boys died from ex- 
haustion and loss of blood. As he breathed his last he 
said, "I am going fast, boys. I am not afraid to die. The 
only dread is in leaving friends and loved ones at home and 
my comrades here. I am fully willing to give my lite if we 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL IIOSriTALS. 223 

can only restore the Union and lihei'ate the shive." He 
grew weaker and weaker, and with a trembling sigh his 
sj^irit winged its way to the mansions prepared for all men 
in the world beyond the river. 

We soon arrived in Washington, and were rapidly trans- 
ported to our several hosi)itals. As soon as we arrived at 
Canii)I)ell the surgeon in eharge issued about three ounces 
of government whiskey to all who could drink it, — and he 
was a fine surgeon besides ! We had as bed-fellows, on 
either hand. Sergeant White of the Second Rhode Island, 
a private of Colonel Speer's regiment, on the right, with a 
rebel captain as next bed-fellow, and Sergeant James of Co. 
K, of the Seventh, right across the alley-way on the west 
side of the room. The rebel captain was a red-headed, san- 
guinary sort of a man, rather positive in his nature, and 
very outspoken in rebel sentiment, to which he gave ex- 
pression at every opportunity. The boys in blue stood his 
noise as long as they could, when they called upon the sur- 
geon to take him out. Our sutferings and his secession 
sentiments couldn't be made to harmonize, besides he had a 
very irritating effect upon the boys. 

The soldier on my right, a Pennsylvanian by biith, of 
Dutch descent, had two holes through his body, one in the 
shoulder and the other apparently through the chest, besides 
being wounded in the leg. He had a most excellent appe- 
tite, and did not lose a meal while I was in the hospital. 
Sergeant White of the Second Rhode Island was very se- 
verely wounded in the groin. He seemed to be doing nice- 
ly until the third night after we had reached the hospital, 
when his wound began to sui)erate very severel}' and slough 
oil". The surgeons of the hospital held a consultation, and 
they decided that the injury was such that it would be im- 
l)Ossible to perlorm an operation and take up the artery, 
and the oidy safety for him lay in a7i(i-sej)(is applications to 
the wound. On this day he had a long talk with me, and 



224 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

said, "Friend, I am not goin^ to s^et out of this. I feel as 

' ' coo 

if I should bleed to death ; my wound keeps superating and 
it will soon eat off the artery." I tried to cheer him up in 
my poor way, and said to him, "After you get over the 
shock you will recover. You have got a very strong con- 
stitution and splendid physique." He was six feet six, I 
think, and well-proportioned every way. Well, we chatted 
away, as old soldiers always will when thrown together, 
talked of home and the prospects of whipping Lee and end- 
ing the war, and both of us fell into a refreshing sleep. 
I was in hopes his fears were unfounded, but shortly after 
midnight he woke me up by i-eaching out his hand and 
touching me. "Say, corporal, my wound is bleeding; call 
the steward." I called aloud for him, and he was soon be- 
side the couch. The blood then had begun to drip through 
the mattress upon which he lay. The sui'geon was soon at 
hand, and everything was done that could be. They applied 
a compound to stop the hemorrhage, but it would push it 
away, and the blood would still run. He turned to me and 
said, "It's no use ; I am going to bleed to death." I asked 
him if he had any word to send to his tViends. He said, 
"No, except to tell them that I am not afraid to die." As 
he slowly neared the valley that leads to tl ? waters of 
death, he grasped my hand and bade me good-bye, and 
passed away without a struggle. The Second Rhode Island 
lost many men in that terril)le war, but none braver or 
purer than Sergeant White. 

After stopping in this hospital about a mont.. they trans- 
ported us to New York City, to St. Joseph Hospital, 
Central Park. On the same train that bore Sergeant 
James and myself North was Colonel Johns of the Seventh 
Massachusetts. Shortly after we left Philadelphia we ran 
ofl" the track, and for a short time there was many a groan- 
ing and a good deal of cursing as one after another were 
thrown in a heap at the bottom of the car. We were de- 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 225 

layed some three hours, when we steamed across New 
Jersey to New York City, where we took the transport 
Elm City and were hinded in Hnrlom, and from there we 
went to the hospital. 

St. Joseph's hospital, before it was accepted by the gov- 
ernment as a hospital for wounded and maimed soldiers, was 
a Roman Catholic convent. It was most pleasantly situated 
at the outlet of Central Park, on what is called the Bloom- 
ingdale road, upon which thoroughfare many of the elite of 
New York used to try the speed of their horses. This hos- 
pital was in charge of Surgeons Gooley, Shrady, (General 
Grant's physician in his last sickness) and a Dr. Smith. 
Dr. Gooley was a sour, overbearing, crabbed, disagreeable 
man, while Drs. Shrady and Smith were the perfection of 
gentleness, with warm and sympathetic natures. Dr. 
Gooley was a great surgeon, no doubt, but that was no ex- 
cuse for treating the soldiers under his charge as if they 
were common cattle. 

While in this hospital the great riot in New York occurred. 
Gooley was quite excited, as they had given out word in 
Yorkville that they were going to clean out Gooley's pests 
up to the hospital. Well, we had two howitzers and about 
seventy-live lighting men, and if they had come they Avould 
have had all the fighting they wanted with one hundi-od 
other good men who would have defended the hospital 
against a determined attack. 

The writer had been home to Scituate, Massachusetts, on 
a two weeks furlough, only to find his home broken up and 
scattered. ^The mother had died previous to the war, and as 
])usiness had, changed, the brothers and sisters hail changed 
their abodes. The tamily was never re-united. We await 
that reuuio^*! which is eternal on the banks beyond the rolling 
tide. 

As my furlough called for my presence in New York, 
I started to fulfil it. I went to Boston, took the cars to 

11 



226 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Fall River, (the home of A and B companies of our regi- 
ment) and the Old Colony steamer for New York, where I 
arrived safe and sound. But the wharves were lined with 
surging crowds of men. The captain of the boat advised me 
not to attempt to go across the city, 1)nt being young and 
inexperienced I set out. I followed Eleventh or Twelfth 
avenue right beside the water, and kept Uncle Sam's gun- 
boats in line, so that if they murdered me the^y might get a 
charge of grape and canister in return. I took the middle 
of the street and only heard one menacing remark directed 

towards myself, which was, "There goes a d blue coat I" 

As soon as I got opposite Vesey street, I crossed over 
towards City Hall, and got aboard a Third avenue car. 
I asked the driver if he was going through. He said, "I am 
going to try ; but you'll get killed.'' "Well, killed it is; 
if your car goes I am going, too." "Well," says he, "don't 
you show your head above the window-sill ; if you do, they 
will shoot you." "All right," says I; and we started. 

I had nothing but two good crutches and boundless cheek 
to protect me. All went well until we reached Yorkville, 
where there was a lively skirmish going on. Sometimes 
the police would charge, and fire a volley, which would be 
returned in earnest by the rioters. We got up to Harlem 
high bridge (the railroad bridge), at half-past four o'clock. 
When I went into the ward and reported, Gooley said, 

"How in did you get through?" I told him I got 

aboard a car, laid down, moved when the car moved, and 
stopped when the car stopped. But I have often wondered 
if a gang of "plug-uglies" had boarded that car what would 
have become of me. I guess this report would have been 
missing, — probably, deserted while on furlough! 

After I got back, gangrene, more properly called hospi- 
tal gangrene, broke out, which necessitated the removal 
and breaking up of the hospital. The men were sent to 
St. T. Knight's Hospital, New Haven, Conn. We were 




C.I-.O. W. ANDKl.WS. 
I St. I.ii'iitL-nanl Co. " I.' 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENEKzVL HOSPITALS. 227 

ordered aboard the same l)oat which had transported us to 
St. Joseph's. It was a most beautiful day in the first part 
of September as we took the steamer from the pier in East 
River, steamed up past Fort Trumbull, and out on to the 
waters of the sound. We arrived in New Haven harbor 
some time in early afternoon, and were transferred to the 
hospital. It was not equal to St. Joseph's, but was roomy 
and \vell shaded. The Dutchman from Pennsylvania Avas 
in the same hospital. The gangrene got into his wounded 
leo- and very nearly killed him. One poor boy, wdio had a 
severe flesh wound in the fore-arm, before he had his arm 
cleansed suffered thj loss of all the muscles and the cover- 
ing to the itlna and I'adius. The gangrene had eaten a cav- 
ity of an inch in depth and over eight inches in length, — a 
severe and horrible looking cavity, — but under th« skillful 
nursing of the surgeon in charge, when I left the hospital 
the first of November, it had so far healed that he had re- 
gained the use of his arm in a measure. 

We had one man from a New York regiment who carried 
a ball in his brain, which he had received at Williainsburg 
the year before, who was all I'ight apparently, except a 
slight absent-mindedness. He was walking across the pa- 
rade-ground one day, when he suddenly fell dead. At the 
post-morten) examination, at which I was present, the ball 
was found in the siipeiior portion of the brain, just in front 
of the oi'gan of language, with quite a considerable sup- 
puration. 

The days were growing shorter, and we were given all 
proper liberty. At St. Joseph's Hospital an incident oc- 
curred which shows the thoughtlessness of men. Just bo- 
fore the hospital became infected we had, one day, six cap- 
ital operations. My leg had so far healed that we — that is, 
James and myself — were put on to help watch and tend the 
wounded. There were three legs re-amputated, and three 
arms and heads which had undergone very severe opera- 



228 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

tions. Now, we had in our ward a man from Chenango 
county, New York, who would persist in eating green ap- 
ples, which grew very near the balcony on the east side of 
the hospital. The bead steward had noticed his disobedi- 
ence of orders, and had spoken to Dr. Shrady of Tom's 
misdeeds. By the way, he was called Tom Hyer, from the 
fighting-clip of his hair. James had been on from 7 r. M. 
until 12, when my relief came on. I had just been round 
to see that all the amputations were free from hemorrhages, 
and that the bandages were Avell wet with cold water, when 
the most dismal groaning shook that part of the ward in 
which Thomas was supposed to be sound asleep. I hastily 
wended my way to his cot, and asked him what was the 
matter. "Oh!" said he, "my stomach! my g — s! Oh, 
dear, I shall die ! Get the doctor ! get the doctor I" in tones 
loud enough to raise the rafters. "Well," says I, "Thomas, 
1 shall go and get Dr. Shrady." Ordinarily the doctors re- 
turned to the city before 6 o'clock, leaving one of their 
number on duty at the hospital. I soon found Dr. Shrady 
at his room, and not only him, but Gooley and Smith, with 
some other doctor from the city, and I think they were hav- 
ing a "good time," as men say. I called Dr. Shrady 's at- 
tention, and reported my case from ward four. Dr. Shrady 
said, "I'll quiet him,'' and gave me a prescription and in- 
jection for poor Tom, saying, "Watch him sharp." I re- 
turned with castor-oil and laudanum (40 drops) and a pint 
injector, all of which I scrupulously gave Thomas. After 
he had had it down and up for about one-half hour he grew 
quiet. At half-past 2 o'clock he commenced to visit the 
water-closet, and he kept it up all day, and on the third day 
Thomas left us, never more to return. Whether he went 
up like a pillar of tire, or surreptitiously stole away, I 
know not. 

As the weather grew crisp and cold there were many men 
recovering from their wounds who must be sent back to the 



INCIDENTS OF FIKLD AND GENKRAL HOSPITALS. 229 

Cioiit. Oil the 2d clay of November, 18()3, some one hun- 
dred and twenty-five were sent to Bedloe's Island, New 
York harbor, the writer among the rest. I think the reg- 
ular boat took us to New York, and we were soon on the 
ishmd, garrisoned by a squad of reguhirs. It was very 
pleasant, but the island was overrun with rats. They would 
eat everything they could lay their teeth upon, even knaw 
into the very l)ed you lay on, and any moonlight night the}' 
would run over 3 our feet with the utmost fearlessness. Our 
rations were good, well cooked, and we had a good chapel 
and library tbr reading matter. Dr. Proudfoot of New 
York City, Dr. Smiley of .Jersey City, and other ministers, 
preached to us regularly every Sunday. Soon we grew 
robust and healthy, and returned to the I'egiment. 

In the year 18(>4 there were killed and wounded more 
men than in any previous year of the war. The overland 
campaign, rich in horrors, was the slaughter year of the 
war. When the two armies in Virginia came together in 
their deadly embrace, the slaughter was terrific. Men were 
wounded by the thousands, and the dead formed a fearful 
holocaust to Liberty's shrine. On the night of the 6th of 
May the wail of the wounded was almost unendurable, that 
long-drawn pent-up wail which makes even nature cry aloud 
in anguish. 

Previous to this canii)aigu I was in Camp Convalescent, 
Alexandria, Va., where we had many men from the Seventh 
Maine Regiment, and others. While in this camp Generals 
Abercrombie, Heintzelman, Lord Lyons and Secretary Sew- 
ard visited us. It was a very neat and pleasant camp. 
Here we had a chapel, in which could be seated four thou- 
stuid men at one time, and Drs. Foster, Freeman, Dexter 
and Herring from Maine, and the leading lights of all 
denominations, with good singing and praying. "Camp- 
meeting" John Allen held forth here, and many of his 
subjects were entranced undci- hi> mani[)ulati()ns. 



230 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

The Army of the Potomac suft'erecl almost uninterrupted 
fighting for four long years, and more than four-fifths of its 
original three-years' men passed through its field and gen- 
eral hospitals. In conclusion I will say, it always seemed 
to me sacrilegious to mingle Christianity with bloodshed. 
He who said if thy brother strike thee, turn to him the 
other cheek, can hardly look complacently upon the slaugh- 
ter of His children in war, and therefore I have, as far as 
possible, kept this history free from religious cant, as I have 
no faith in any body of religionists who pray for the 
slaughter of their foes. 

These are a few incidents which came personally under my 
own eyes and are literally true to the best of my knowledge. 
Therefore, readers, pardon me if I introduce one more in- 
cident, or two rather, which came to light upon the battle-field 
of Antietam. As General Devens' brigade moved forward 
upon the battle-field of Antietam, it took a course which 
brought it to the left of Dunkers Church, and through the 
general field hospital established in a barn upon the field of 
battle. Before we reached the declivity upon which it was 
situated, the brigade came very near the ruins of Mumler's 
house and barn. Right upon the apex of this ridge lay a 
boy, fair and young, shot through the breast. In his ag- 
ony he had clutched a handful of grass in either hand, while 
his feet had worn abrasions in the green-sward by the con- 
tant contraction of his limbs as the paroxisms of pain shook 
his wounded frame. He had long curly hair and a noble 
brow, stamped with the impress of great intelligence. As 
we moved slowly by him, his eyes, glazed with approaching 
dissolution, turned with a beseeching look never to be for- 
gotten. Some home no doubt was desolated, some mother's 
heart was broken, but what of that if men can manufacture 
fame from the blood of fellow-mortals? 

The other incident was : As we Avent through the hospital 
yard, the ground was fairly littered with straw, and in our 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 



231 



curiosity we lifted it up. As Ave did so, we found we 
were walking on the bodies of the dead, while near the 
amputating tables lay a heap of arms, legs, feet and hands, 
over a foot in height. To say that this sight was not sicken- 
ing would be false. It even at this late day, after twenty- 
eight years have elapsed, (;alls up a shudder, and it gave the 
writer a sudden qualmishness which he never will forget as 
long as the blood shall pulsate through his veins. 

May our fair land never see another war, nor the youth 
of the land be called upon to pass through the struggles of an- 
other war. To the educated masses of the North the war 
was chastening and educational, but the stay-at-homes, the 
bankers and many of the money-lenders, it seemed to 
harden and demoralize, and the great danger of our republi- 
can institutions will come from this class who fattened upon 
the blood of their fellow-citizens, and their posterity, for an 
aristocracy of wealth has ever been the destruction of 
republics. 

Not those who sutfered upon the field of battle, or in field 
or general hospitals, but from those who took advantage of 
the necessities of the government in its hour of peril may 
we look for succeed ins: dangers. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

"HOSPITAL LIFE AS I REMEMBER IT," (By Walter S. Goss,)-SKETCH OF THE 

"HOSPITAL BUMMER."-A TRIBUTE TO THE OLD 

ARMY SURGEONS. 

THERE lire no scenes of the war more vividly remem- 
bered by the old soldier thiin his life in a hospital, 
after having been stricken down on the field of battle. 

After the battle of Chancellorsville, a field hospital of the 
Sixth Corps was established at Potomac Creek Landing, and 
the old Seventh Massachusetts was well represented therein. 
My first experience there was not very exhilarating. The 
beds were constructed on primitive principles. Running 
the length of the tents were poles laid on forked stakes. 
On these were laid in cross-sections small cedar poles on 
which were ticks of straw. The poles were not secured, and 
the recumbent victim was at the mercy of their movements. 
If he dared to move he would feel them crawling apart, and 
would have the sensation of something dropping to the 
earth. I remember that I went through the performance 
several times, and then refused to try it over again until 
the things were fixed, which they were finally. 

Many a wakeful night I passed in that tented home, hang- 
ing on to the rugged edge of life. Two inmates of our tent 
died while we were there. One night a poor sufferer, who 
lay a few beds from me, commenced to thrash about vigor- 
ously, and threw himself from his bed. I called lustily for 
help, but the man was dead by the time the nurse was 
awake. Another man, a color-bearer of a New York regi- 
ment, I think, one day requested the "nurse" to put on his 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND (GENERAL HOSl'ITALS. 233 

hoots. "Why do you \v;iiit your boots on ?" ;isked the 
nurso. "O, never mind why, but put on my boots," per- 
sisted the patient. To humor the caprice of the man, his 
boots were put on. And then he raised himself to a sitting 
posture, and with uplifted hand as though he was again bear- 
ing aloft his regimental banner, he exclaimed, "Now, l)oys, 
for the last charge ! Forward ! IJnrrah I they run ! Victory ! 
vie — !"' and he fell back — dead. His life had floated away 
to the great unknown. I have seen tragedies real and trag- 
edies simulated, but nothing so thrilling, to me, as the 
charge of that brave, patiiotic spirit, on to the very ram- 
parts of heaven. It may have been delirium; but to me it 
was more real than the oft-told tale of Therinoi)ylce or any 
of the heroics of historic page. 

Later on, our field hospital was furnished with iron bed- 
steads, and the patients were massed by regimental repre- 
sentation. The boys of the Seventh occupied two or three 
wards. The ward that I was in contained a score or more 
of us, all but one of whom, I think, pulled thiough. 

I remember that I ate very little, if any, food during the 
earlier part of my hospital life ; but after I had lost sixty 
pounds of my corporal substance, my appetite became so 
disproportionate to the lations allowed that the nurse made 
several excursions to Aqua Creek for my special benefit, and 
the surgeon, when I complained to him of famine, threat- 
ened to send me to clean out the cook-house. All my spare 
change went for di'ied beef, fi'esh shad, and once I was en- 
tiapped by a peddling sneak into paying two dollars for two 
dozen eggs. I had those eggs boiled, but to my sorrow 
and disgust they were too ancient for a modern stomach, 
even though it belonged to a hungry soldier. 

When the Army of the Potomac left the line ol" the Rap- 
pahannock the hospital patients were transferred to Wash- 
ington. We went by r;ul to Aqua Creek, and thence by 
boat to Washington. I shall never forget the ludicrous 

12 



234 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

scene presented by our battalion of six hundred and fifty 
cripples as they hobbled from the cars to the boat. Nearly 
every man of us was on crutches. To a sympathetic looker- 
on it may have been pathetic, but soldiers did not view 
things in a pathetic light in those days. 

One of our surgeons told me that I could not get through 
the journey without stimulants. He informed me that he 
would tr}' to get me some at Aqua Creek, and judging by 
his langle-legged appearance afterwards, I should say that 
he succeeded in finding the article for which he sought, but 
he became so absorbed in self that he forgot me. After 
our arrival at the Capital, the red tape of the war department 
became so strained that we were compelled to lie on the 
wharf for five long, weary hours. After patience had 
passed the limits of endurance, we were distributed by 
ambulance through the different hospitals of Washington. 
Five of my company managed to keep together and went 
to the Harwood. Ten days after, there was a general clear- 
ing out of the hospitals in Washington, to make room for 
the victims of an anticipated battle near the Capital, which 
culminated in the great drama, Gettysburg. 

Most of the men of the Seventh were given thirty days' 
furlough, while I got left on the plea that I was unable to 
travel. But the little German surgeon of the ward salved 
my injured feelings with the consoling promise that as soon 
as I was able to make the journey he would give me a 
ninety days' furlough, which promise failed to materialize, 
as I was shortly after transferred to the Satterlee hospital 
at West Philadelphia. 

After the Gettysburg battle this hospital was crowded to 
repletion, and a field hospital of tents was pitched outside 
the fence to contain the overflow. I think there is nothing 
so dreary and monotonous as a hospital lite. Every one is 
talking and longing for home, "so near and yet so far" 
away. The free and happy-go-lucky life in the field, with 



INCIOEXTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL IIOSriTALS. 23o 

nil its !itton(l:mt (l.'ingcr ;iik1 linrdships, is profoi'al)le to iiiiy 
hut the well-known "hospital hummer." Yes, there were 
"hummers,'' hut they were not so thick as many would 
have us helieve. I rememher one who hailed from Ohio, 
who had a remarkahly crooked leg. He walked, with the 
aid of a cane, on the end of his toes. He kept in his bed, 
and only at the call for meals was he the first at the front. 
But one evil day three surgeons stealthfully ciept to his 
bed-side, when two of them held him down while the other 
applied a sponge loaded with chloi'oform to his nose, and in 
less than three minutes the fellow had the straightest leg in 
that ward; like Paddy's tree, it was so straight that it 
leaned the other way. Shortly afterwards he was sent to 
his regiment, the most ashamed man that ever went to the 
front. 

The thousands of soldiers who made up our army were, 
as a class, of heroic mould. In field or hospital, they never 
shrunk nor shirked the trying ordeal which they were called 
upon to pass through. It took more courage often to with- 
stand the pangs of hospital treatment than it did to face the 
enemy on the field. I think I have seen more striking 
examples of heroism and patient devotion in the hospitals 
than in the field. To-day there is no tie so strong as the 
fraternal feeling which binds soldiers to one another, even 
though they be strangers. It is a heartfelt sympathy, a 
mystic bond that recognizes a comrade wjio has been tried 
in the fiery furnace of a war for universal liberty and a 
conmion country. For this we fought, for this we suffered 
in foul prison pens, in hospitals, and on the fields of battle ; 
for this our comrades fell where shot and shell sung their 
last requiem. 

Xo recoi-d of hospital life would be complete without a 
tiibut(^ to oui' old army surgeons. Their sympathetic devo- 
tion, their piotessional skill, iheii- unselfish, untiring energy, 
saved many a pool-, mangled sufiorer from an untimely 



236 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

grave. I owe my life to the kind-hearted, rough and blutf 
old Dr. TifF, or Taft, of a New York regiment. The old 
boys of the Seventh who were in the hospital at Potomac 
Creek will remember him kindly for his devotion to them. 
If he is alive, would that some kindly word, a "God-bless- 
you," might greet him from the boys of the Seventh who 
were under his care. 

I cannot say that I fell in love with the surgeons at Sat- 
terlee. The most of them were resident physicians of Phil- 
adelphia, who visited the wards but once a day. They 
were cold and reserved, and they went about their duties 
as though they had a job and were bound to get through it 
as easily as possible. I heard a poor, wounded, home-sick 
boy ask one of these professional dudes for a furlough, and 
the reply was flung back to him that if he heard any more 
from him about a furlough he would have him put in a guard- 
house. It took a strong leverage to get a furlough from that 
hospital. I got one all the same, but it was at the request 
of our old war-governor, John A. Andrew. Anything like 
the name of a governor would make men like those doctors 
toady to a female cur. 

But the days of war and hospital life are over for the 
boys of the old Seventh, and all that is left for them now 
to do is to live in the retrospective, and thank God that 
they were able to do their humble part towards saving our 
grand old republic from the traitorous foes that assailed it. 




ISAAC w. c.ii i:s, 

1 1 .initriiam ( 'o. " K. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

FURTHER INCIDENTS OF HOSPITAL LIFE IN COLUMBIA COLLEGE AND ST, 

JOSEPH'S HOSPITALS. -GEN. RUSSELL AT FREDERICKSBURG.- 

FIELD HOSPITALS NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH. 

rnriE preceding sketch of hospital life, by Walter S. Goss, 
J_ of Marlboro, Mass., can well be supplemented by a 
sketch or two of incidents occurring in Columbia College 
Hospital, Meridian Hill, Washington, D. C. When the 
Seventh boys had been transferred to that hospital, those 
who were su[)posed to be on the road to the river "Styx" 
were placed in room thirteen, ward four, while opposite, 
resting in room twelve, were other patients who were car- 
ried in to die. While in room thirteen there were thirteen 
deaths in three weeks, and all of them were seen by the 
men, who, by their strength of (-onstitution and will, re- 
covered from the disease by which they were attacked, and 
from which they were expected to die. 

One old man of sixty years was brought in after we had 
been in the room for two or three weeks, who was sutiering 
from congestion of the brain. In his delirium he would 
rave of the charge of cavalry at Fairfax Court House. Then 
again he would sing of his country, 

"My Country, 'tis of thee, sweet laud of liberty." 

Then the nurse would try to soothe and comfort him. Anon, 
and he would be ready to swap horses, and then he would 
call by endearing names his child at home in Penn.sylvania, 
and would say, "Sarah, bring Flora; I want to kiss her 
good-bye before I go to the camp, for you know we start 



238 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

for Wasbington to-mori-o\v." Then he would fall buck ex- 
hausted. Soou he would rouse up aud demaud his release^ 
for he must report to the colouel of his regiment, and he 
did not want to be court-martialed. In the morning he had 
grown more quiet, but the tilm of death was stealing over 
his eyes. When Dr. Abedee, sui^eou-in-chief, came in, he 
passed along between the beds, and as soon as the patient's 
eye rested upon him, he said, "Say, doctor, do you know 
how I use a horse when he has the blind staggers ?" "No," 
said Dr. Abedee, with a smile, "how do you?" "Well, I 

blister and bleed him like d tion !" "Well, that's all 

right," says Abedee, who called the nurse to him, and told 
him to get the man some iced lemonade. Thomas, the 
nurse, soon procured the mixture and gave it to him, when 
the poor soldier gave a gasp and was dead. One more for 
the dead-house I Gone home I One more widow and father- 
less child — the curse of war I 

In a day or two more there came in a boy from a New 
York regiment, the Thirty-sixth, who was delirious from 
the time he came into the room until he died. With oaths 
and imprecations he declared he would not die. I liked his 
grit better than I did his language, but he soon succumbed 
to the great leveller of flesh, the enemy of all mankind, — 
death. When the body was being prepared for removal, 
among his efiects was found a most beautiful photograph of 
a lovely child and woman, and on the back was written, 
"My wife and child." 

Among my acquaintances was a soldier from the Adiron- 
dack regions of New York, Charles Allen by name. He 
was fifty-five years old, as slraight as a young sapling, aud 
he challenged many a boy to run him a race of an hundred 
yards. 

As nurse-in-chief we had a woman from New York, faith- 
ful and true, virtuous and womanly, and as her assistant 
she had a man from the Fourth or Fifth Peunsvlvania cav- 



INCIDENTS OF I-TELI) AND OENEKAL HOM'ITALS. 239 

■ iliy. His name was Ford, and he 1)elonged in Philadelphia. 
All the boys liked him. Gentle, manly, self-reliant, he was a 
noble boy. He had a considerable degree of science in the 
art of manly defence, and to while away the time we would 
have a bout or two at fisticuffs, all in good feeling and fun. 

The First New Jersey cavalry had a man by the name of 
Simmons in this hospital, and although of more than ordi- 
nary intelligence, he could not read or write. He came 
over to me one day as he saw me draw forth my writing 
material, and said, "Say, old boy, can you write?" "Why, 
yes," said I. "Well, I want you to write for me." I said, 
"Can't you write?" '-No." "Who do you wish me to 
write to?" "Oh, my best girl." "What is her name?" 
"Susan Mcintosh." So I wrote for Ike — that was what 
we all called him, Isaac being the correct appellation he 
shoidd be known by. When I told him I had had no e.xpe- 
rience he said, "Have you got a mother?" "No, she died 
when I was eleven years old." "Well," said he, "write 
just as you would write to your mother if she were alive, 
nmltipled by ten in power and affectionate form." So I 
wrote a warm, affectionate love-letter, and by tlie answer 
Isaac got, in two days or more, it seemed to me as if my 
missive took nicely. I did all of Isaac's writing as long as 
I remained in the hospital, and he did his courting by pro.xy 
of the pen ! 

The S<i>enth Maine had a soldier in this hospital by the 
name of Howard. One of nature's noblemen, over six feet 
in height, and well-proportioned, he was the acme of man- 
ly perfection. He had a very severe attack of erysipelas. 
When I was removed from room thirteen to room one. on 
the easterly end of the College, he had l)een painted with 
iodine all over the cranium, and a blacker man's head I 
never saw : but he soon peeled and got well. Many were 
the hours I whiled away with him playing checkers, at 
which same he beat me almost everv time. 



240 INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 

In St. Joseph's Hospital, Central Park, New York, we 
had a brave Frenchman called Count Remone, who had lost 
a leg at Fair Oaks. He had served as orderly on General 
McClellan's staff, and was a real kind and affable man, well 
edncated and refined, and had the Fi-ench gift of grace in 
conversation. After his leg had become healed, he asked 
Dr. Shrady if he could go to the city. "Well, Remone, 
how many glasses of liquor will you drink?" "Oh," said 
Remie, as we called him, "one — two — three — four." 
"Ah!" says Dr. Shrady, "you'll get drunk." "No, no," 
says Remie, "get a little full — that's all ; no Frenchman 
gets drunk." "Well, I guess you had better wait a week." 
"All right," says Remie. When he did go he came back 
middling happy no more ! 

We had an Enfflishman in our ward, and he was always 
telling how "old Hingland'' used her soldiers, and kept 
harping on what she would do, and he guessed "the South 
would Avhip," until one night the boots and crutches flew in 
the direction of his bed, so that he had to evacuate it on the 
double-quick ! Dr. Shrady, when he came in, asked where 
Johnny Englishman was, and they told him. Durkey, who 
had a leg off just below the knee, and who was of good old 
Irish stock, said, "We drove him off, and if he comes back 
insulting us by his English yarns, we'll kill him !" Dr. 
Shrady laughed, and said, "Well, boys, I guess he won't 
come back." He didn't feel like being brow-beaten by a 
Johnny Bull — not after the Trent affair. 

One incident occurred at the storming of Mayre's Hill, at 
Fredericksburg, that will call up tender reminiscences of 
our old colonel, David A. Russell. As he sat on his horse 
watching the thin column of blue on the Telegraph Road 
launched forth to pierce the centre of the rebel })osition on 
the heights, and as they met the terrible fire of bullets and 
shell which checked them for a few minutes. Gen. Russell 
turned pale, and every feature told of the agony of his soul ; 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 241 

but as the column gathered itself together for the final 
lunge he exclaimed, "They will carry it now; all hell can't 
stop them !" It showed how dear to his soldier's heart wei-e 
the boys of the old Seventh. As his adjutant-general, Dan 
Packard, of Co. K of the Seventh, rode by his side, he said, 
"This has been a glorious day for the old Seventh, but a 
sad one." As he led his brigade out on the Plank road, he 
passed many of the boys who had been brought to the rear 
to be operated on, and, as the tears rolled down his cheeks, 
he said, '-You did nobly, boys ! You did nobly." And with 
many a prayer for his safety, from his old comrades in peril, 
he passed to new fields of honor and usefulness. Lying 
beside the road were some one hundred and over of the 
Seventh boys, with many of the gallant Thirty-sixth New 
York, our support in this column. 

After many of the Seventh boys had been carried over 
the river, into the field hospital of the Sixth Corps, estab- 
lished on StaflJ'Ord Heights, the brigade-surgeon came 
around. As I lay beside Lorenzo Williamson, of the regi- 
ment, who was very severely wounded, the surgeons exam- 
ined his wound, which was of the thigh and knee, from 
bullet and buck-shot. They would run their fingers into 
the canal made by the bullet, and say, "Well, this is a 
peculiar wound ; the bullet has struck the head of the femur 
and rebounded out of the wound." Poor Williamson would 
groan, but they very good naturedly kept on probing with 
their fingers, and Surgeon Leary showed his fingers severely 
wounded by pieces of bone which the cuticle had struck in 
his exploration of wounds by the process of fingering rather 
than by the metallic probe. Well, both of the surgeons were 
wrong, as that identical bullet was cut out of the leg just 
above the knee-joint, after fifteen years had elapsed, the 
surgeons forgetting that lead generally sticketh closer than 
a brother when introduced into the system. 

One other incident: A poor boy of the Sixth Maine, 

13 



242 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

who charged upon our left in Hue of battle, was shot right 
through the ankle, the ball entering the front of the instep 
and crashing through the bone, and lodging under the heel. 
Without any anesthetics applied, they began the operation, 
and under it the boy never flinched only as nature called up 
a groan in sympathy with his horrible sufferings. Brave boy, 
he did not lose his foot, but he sufiered untold agony, and 
was too low to be transferred to Washington when we went. 

On May 6th, 1864, as the lines of blue and gray recoiled 
from the mutual slaughter of the Wilderness, and as dark- 
ness and quiet fell upon that gateway to death and glory, 
the oppressive stillness of the night was broken by the wail 
of the wounded, and as something would snap or a gun 
would be discharged, it would sound like a cannon, for it 
seemed as if all nature Avas in sympathy with the sufl'ering, 
and not only suffering, but appalled at the dreadful carnage 
of the human family. And methinks in nature's realms 
much of affinity can be found when a slaughter of the human 
family is enacted upon a mighty sphere. And if the sins of 
Sodom could call down the condemnation of Jehovah, it 
may be possible that in a slaughter so immense and brutal 
as the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, even Natui-e would 
weep for her wayward children. I never wish to hear that 
sound again. So sad, so terrible ! It wells up in mind, and 
seems at this late day to draw forth a shudder and a start as 
I think of the brave men who went down in honor and glory 
in the tangled wilds of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. 

The sights of a battle-field are almost unendurable. As 
we filed into position on the bloody field of Antietam, we 
passed many a line of blue and gray, cold and silent in 
death, and that night as we camped down to sleep we lay 
with many a dead man, and as the men were very tired, we 
slept soundly, notwithstanding we expected to be launched 
against the foe in the morning. As Adjt. Dan Packard 
passed along the lines, he gently shook the boys on the re- 



INCIDENTS OF FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 243 

serve line to awake them. Some of them seemed to waken 
very slowly and hard, and as he would turn them over to the 
light of early morning, he would start and shudder as the 
dead would be relinquished from his grasp. We had lain 
in among some forty or fifty of the dead during the night. 

Early in the morning, as soon as it was light enough to 
see a few rods in advance of a person. Col. Russell crawled 
up to the .f'ront, took off his hat and peered over the ridge. 
Soon he came back. "Boys," said he, "the rebels are gone ; 
they have left us." We were not sorry. Soon we advanced to 
the sunken road, where the rebel dead la}^ in tiers three and 
four deep. One man on the Hagcrstown pike lay with his 
musket l)y his side, his head entirely gone, as our batteries 
had smashed a solid shot through the wall in front of him. 

That night, as we marched towards Williamsport to drive 
Stuart's cavalry across the river, it had got to be about 
eleven o'clock Avhen there was a thundering of hoofs and 
clatter enough for the charge of a regiment of cavalry. Col. 
Johns' horse had broken loose from the orderly, and soon 
he had other horses upon the rampage. Several were 
severely wounded and the shock was as severe to the nerves 
of the men as if they had been engaged with the enemy. 

The battle of Antietam was appalling in its loss of human 
life. There seemed to be no concert between corps and 
divisions, and even the commanding general had only pro- 
visional command of the army. It was the most open field- 
fight of the war, and, with more tenacity and i)etter cohe- 
sion of the different parts of the army, Lee should have had 
a decisive defeat, wherein he only received a severe drubbing 
and stragetical defeat. 

At camp near White Oak Church our regimental field 
hospital had been established (Mirly in December, 18^2, and 
from this hospital many of our boys were discharged for 
disability. Just l)efore Hooker's irrand move across the 
river, I went up to see some of the boys of the regiment 



244 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

who had become endeared to us all by their heroic courage 
under many and trying circumstances. From this hospital 
there were discharged Gideon F. White, Frank Martin and 
Horace S. Swan .of Co. A, Joseph Swindles and Frederick 
Atwood of Co. B, and Harrison A. Wade, musician, of Co. 
C, with William Powers and William A. Cole of Co. I, and 
William A. Cook of Co. K, and many others who had 
wasted away to mere skeletons by chronic diarrhoea, Cook 
weighing only ninety pounds when he arrived in Scituate, 
Mass., his place of enlistment. The others were equally 
as much disabled, the disease seemingly reducing the flesh 
and blood by fluid evacuations. 

While in St. Joseph's Hospital, many of the women of 
New York came to visit us, and got permission to distrilnite 
oranges and lemons, which were very refreshing. The 
Sisters of the convent were as faithful as they could be, and 
many a silent prayer has gone up from St. Joseph's Hospital 
for a blessing upon their holy lives. Sectarianism in the 
army had a "hard row to hoe," and many a man lost his 
creed and found his God and Savior in the liberation of his 
mind and intellect. Indeed, from army life came much of 
the liberation of the public mind from crude theology. 

But hospital life is over. The men of the Seventh are 
fast passing away. Now, if immortality is a fact, and we 
meet again in a higher sphere, methinks Fair Oaks, Antie- 
tam, Mayre's Heights, Salem Church, Gettysburg, Mine 
Run, and the Wilderness, will prove a richer theme for the 
spirit boys to talk of than any creed or religion they swore 
by while on earth. There we shall meet Russell, Johns 
and Bullock, Whiting of I, Tillson of K, Grant, Meade 
and Thomas, Sheridan, Hooker and Burnside, Logan and 
Canby, Farragut and Foote, and possibly Lee and Jackson, 
Bragg and Hill; and better than all, as Christian soldiers, 
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Great Captain 
of all upon the Campus Martins of Eternal Life ! 





OC^^<-^a-.^>->i_^(^ 



CHAPTER XXYIII. 

GENERAL REVIEW OF THE WAR.-THE DEFECTS OF A MILITARY EDUCATION 

AT WEST POINT.-INFLUENCE OF THE WAR UPON THE PEOPLE, 

AND THE LESSONS IT TAUGHT THE WORLD. 

rPHE war of the Rebelliou taught the people of the United 
_L States the power and resources of the nation, and the 
strength of a democratic form of government when founded 
upon the suffraires and intelligence of its educated masses. 
It also taught that a democratic government is weak, in a 
military view, when depending upon the yoemen as its 
main support in times of sudden emergencies, and also that 
one part of the nation can be paralyzed by the machinations 
of traitors in any other part if they have ample time for 
preparation, and any section has only to instruct a large 
and generally enlisted militia to menace the liberties of the 
nation when the people of that section shall become dissat- 
isfied with the confederation. While education is the main- 
stay of repul)lican iufctitutions, and State rights are still 
held inviolable under the constitution, it will, as immigra- 
tion increases and changes the complexion and nature of the 
voters in large sections of our country, bo necessar}' to 
compel education of the masses l)y compulsory legislation, 
so that the danger of sudden riots l)y the excitement ot 
demagogues working upon the minds of the people shall be 
reduced to the minimum. 

The war of Secession was a most costly and cruel wai-, 
and it has taught us that no matter how sacred an oath a 
man may register in heaven, there are some who will break 



246 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

it. West Point, the great military school of the nation, 
gave us ample evidence of this weakness of human nature ; 
and as it has been said that it was a necessary evil in a 
democratic government, until nations shall learn war no 
more, I intend to point out some of its defects as applied 
to the practical handling of large masses of volunteer 
troops. 

It was a notorious fact, with few exceptions, that no cor- 
dial good-will was felt for the able volunteer officer by the 
graduates of West Point ; and if one reads between the 
lines he can see that the preference was always given to 
West Point graduates by the regulars in power. And there 
is one vital weakness in its educational system which seems 
to promote jealousies and bickerings between its graduates 
when in the field, as for instance, Sumner, Heintzelmen and 
Hooker at Williamsburg, and other cases too numerous to 
mention; the choosing of Howard instead of Logan, the 
peerless volunteer, to command the Army of the Tennessee 
when Gen. McPherson was killed before Atlanta, who was 
the peer of any regular officer graduated at West Point. 
They seemed to have an idea that if a man graduated at the 
head of his class he would make a Napoleon, forgetting that 
adaptation is the leading feature of success. With all their 
technical knowledge, our Northern officers could not organ- 
ize a proper stafl^ the first two years of the war, from which 
inefficiency the Rebellion lasted more than a year longer 
than it should. 

And again, the scholars, using European methods of 
handling troops, expected the same precision and success 
in movement and strategy upon our difficult terrene, with- 
out considering the beautiful roads of the old world upon 
which to move an army. Also the war of the Rebellion 
showed very plainly the evils of appointment of officers be- 
fore they had had experience in the field, and by political 
influence of the ooveruors of the several states. It also 



GENERAL REVIEW OF THE WAR. 247 

taught the people the greatness of their country, and was 
most profitable as a means of promoting general intelligence 
in relation to the clifterent sections, which has been of in- 
calculable benefit to the people. It also taught the military 
men that the commanding of troops by ofl3cers elected by 
the men to command is detrimental to the best interests of 
the soldiers. It also taught the North and South the un- 
paralleled stubbornness of the Anglo-Saxon race as fighters. 
It also taught the nation that there were as many good vol- 
unteer officers as regulars, and to cite instances we will 
mention a few of our noble volunteer generals. 

First and foremost as a great general stands Gen. John 
A. Logan, "Black Jack of the Mingo"; next, Gen. Benja- 
min F. Butler, of Massachusetts, who, by his words, "con- 
traband of war," cut the gordian-knot for our government 
in relation to the negro, until Abraham Lincoln issued his 
En)ancipation Proclamation. Next in line, Adelbert Ames, 
Alfred Terry, Alexander Wadsworth, and also that most 
excellent soldier, Daniel Sickles, of New York, who won 
imperishable renown upon many a field of bloody battle. 

As second-rate generals we will mention Gen. Nathaniel 
P. Banks, Gen. Stedman, of Ohio, Prof. Mitchell, the astron- 
on)er, Gen. John C. Fremoni, Gen. Shields, the hero of 
Kearnstown, and many others who could amply fill any 
place unto which they might have been called by the 
government. 

It has been claimed by Gen. Wolsey of the English 
aimy that a corps of regular troops would have turned the 
tide of any battle in which they might have fought. No 
doubt but the application of twenty-five thousand fresh 
troops at the critical Juncture would have been decisive, so 
would have been twenty-five thousand of such troops as the 
Sixth or old First or Fifth Corps of volunteers. At Gaine.s' 
Mills a full division of regulars fought and were defeated 
as readily as any of the volunteers, and they were met by 



248 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Southern volunteers, and not the educated kind, either. 
The last war was fought by regulars principally in places 
of high command, and General Scott's record as a strategist 
would not suffer in comparison with either McClellan's or 
Halleck's. Nobody ever claimed for General Grant, I be- 
lieve, the qualities of being a great military strategist. 

As a counterpart to the long list of able volunteer officers, 
West Point gave us Generals McClellan, Halleck, Sherman, 
Buell, Rosecrans, who undoubtedly had only one better 
strategist as a rival in our army, who could whip Lee and 
Bragg at their own game in the chances of war. General 
Grant belonged to a different order of generals, so it is not 
necessary to recount his exploits. He was a successful gen- 
eral. To that school belonged Gen. George H. Thomas, 
Gen. Tecumseh Sherman, Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, and 
Gen. George G. Meade, Grant's great lieutenant. Of the 
brilliant and sometimes successful generals as leaders and 
commanders of armies we will name Gen. Geo. B. McClel- 
lan, Gen. Joseph Hooker, Gen. Rosecrans, Gen. Buell, 
Gen. John Pope, of Bull Run fame, and Gen. Ambrose E. 
Burnside. 

Of the successful corps commanders who graduated at 
West Point we will mention as first, Gen. John Sedgwick, 
Gen. Schofield, Gen. James B. McPherson, Gen. Darius N. 
Couch, Gen.Winfield S. Hancock, and Gen. E. V. Sumner, 
of the Eastern and Western armies. These men were of 
more than ordinary abilities, and were an ornament to the 
school from which they graduated. 

Of division commanders, Philip Kearney and David A. 
Russell stood pre-eminently in the armies of the East as 
remarkable for ability, and would no doubt have risen to 
the command of corps and armies if they had been spared 
to their country's service. 

The war no doubt was handled in a very wasteful way at 
first, but as the people learned its needs, and the govern- 



GENERAL REVIEW OF THE WAR. 249 

meiit learned that it was a revolution instead of an emeute^ 
under the circumstances we did as well as could have l)een 
expected. The great fault with the government at Wash- 
ington was the short enlistments of its troops, and the re- 
moval of the Army of the Potomac from the James. Other- 
wise, it did as well as it was possible to do, with the seat 
of government so near the contending armies, and with the 
immense political power exerted in favor of corruption in 
commissary and quartermaster departments, and the pro- 
motion of officers by political favor instead of merit won in 
the held by active service. 

The war also showed to the world the incongruity of the 
Christian church, which exercised in the name of Christ 
a lialeful influence, both North and South, in the previous 
years, — a voice in favor of the bondage and enslavement of 
the human race. And only after the printing press of 
the North and the educational elevation of the masses by 
the common schools had lieeu felt, was it possible to gain 
hearers and break them away from the bondage of the 
church long enough to build up a party to liberate the slave 
and establish a nationality and a true republican form of 
government under the Constitution. Therefore it may be 
said that civil government, as taught in our seminaries of 
learning, is a better basis for government to rest on than 
the theocratic ideas of the church. And in the future, as 
in the past, education of the masses by free schools is a 
better underpinning than the semi-political creeds issued 
from the pulpit and the Christian press. 

The war also brought to the knowledge of the people the 
unbounded resources of the nation, the heroic qualities of 
its people, and the need of time to make us a homogeneous 
race. It also taught the people, both North and South, 
that slavery was an incubus upon the nation, and that the 
quicker it was destroyed the better, for it was blighting both 
the North and South by it? balehd influences upon the 

14 



250 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

morality of the people. The war also taught that it did 
not necessarily contaminate the morals of the men which 
the government called forth to battle in its defence, but 
rather that it demoralized those who stayed at home, and 
who speculated in the necessaries of life at the expense of 
those who fought in the field. It also showed to the world 
the flexible and intense tenacity of democratic government 
when founded upon the intelligence of its people. It 
brought to light the almost incomparable skill of its artisans 
and mechanics, who constructed bridges and railways, 
thereby supporting immense armies by steam transportation 
when far from their base of supplies, and who also invented 
the best arms of any nation of the world. It revolutionized 
the navies of the world, and by the construction of a Merri- 
mac and Monitor made obsolete the wooden walls of old 
England, and in one year from the opening of the war the 
United States was master of the seas, with over two hun- 
dred vessels and eight thousand men on ocean and river 
vessels of war. 

And lastly, it taught the people of the North and South 
proper respect for each other, and that there was no mate- 
rial diflereuce in the make-up or fighting qualities of its 
men. And when the red flames of w^ar had ceased and the 
blows of death had given way to the clasped hands of friend- 
ship, and when the heart-aches had ceased from the land in 
a measure, it showed to the world the untold magnanimity 
of its people, and the great leader, who said, "Let us have 
peace" rather than assassinations and reprisals. And now, 
in the short space of a quarter of a century, the scars of war 
are healed, and the veterans of the blue and gray fraternize 
upon their fields of battle, and swear allegiance to the flag 
of their fathers, the emblem of liberty, — the red, white and 
blue, — the hope of the oppressed, the signet of equality of 
all men before the law. 

The war also gave us our national currency, through the 




M:I,S()N \. IIIK lllNSON. 
Cori.oral ("o. " K." 



GENERAL REVIEW OF THE WAR. 251 

medium of our national hanks, one of the greatest improve- 
ments in the finances of the people that had ever been made 
previous to the war. Each State had issued bills of credit 
as it saw fit, and individual baidis, by State law, were es- 
tablished in the several States. A person traveling from 
one to the other without gold or silver coin had to exchange 
his bills for a discount, or possibly he could pass his money 
if the bank had a national reputation. It also gave us the 
greenback, which should be the great national mone}', based 
upon a metallic currency. It also bound together the East- 
ern States with the fiir-off States of the Pacific by the great 
lines of railroad called the Union Pacific and Central Pacific, 
one of the greatest railroad engineering feats of the century. 
It also gave to us the Territory of Alaska, rich in all min- 
eral and vegetable matter, with fisheries of unbounded 
wealth. 

And better still, it gave us a place and a name among 
the empires of the earth, and a credit of unlimited strength 
in the money markets of the world. It also gave us as a 
rich legacy to the posterity of the nation, the names of Lin- 
coln, Grant, McClellan, Sheridan, Thomas, Meade, Chase, 
Seward, Sumner, Stevens and Andrew, — a galaxy of names 
which will adorn the pages of history as long as noble deeds 
are sung in prose and poetry. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

APPENDIX. - ROSTER OF THE RE&IMENT, GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE 
FATALITIES DURING ITS TERM OF SERVICE, 

THERE were killed in action of the Seventh Massachu- 
setts Volunteer Infantry, in its three years' service, 
thirty-two men; died of wounds, fifty-two; died of disease 
in general hospitals, with no returns to commanding officer 
of regiment, sixty-eight ; prisoners of war, seven ; marked 
as deserters on mnster-out rolls, one hundred and sixty ; 
transferred to other organizations, one hundred and forty- 
eight ; mustered out by expiration of service, three hundred 
and seventy ; absent at time of muster-out of regiment, 
from wounds, ten ; mustered out for promotion, thirty-nine. 

There were wounded of the non-commissioned ofiicjers 
and privates, on the difierent battle-fields in which the regi- 
ment had engaged the enemy, two hundred and fifty-one 
men. The mortally wounded were fifty-two, who died up- 
on the field of battle or in hospitals to the rear. The total 
casualties as given for killed, mortally wounded, taken 
prisoner, and those who died in field and general hospitals, 
were six hundred and forty-one men. 

Of commissioned officers, there were killed, one captain, 
three first lieutenants and one second lieutenant ; and fifteen 
other officers wounded. Making in all, six hundred and 
sixty-one men who were disabled in its different campaigns, 
after sutfering a loss of one hundred and forty-eight trans- 
ferred to other organizations. The whole number mustered 
into the regiment, as given in the Adjutant-General's report 



ROSTER OF THE REOniEXT. 



253 



for the State of Massachusetts, was eleven hundred and forty, 
from which subtract one hundred and fortj'-eight transferred 
to other organizations, leaving nine hundred and ninety-two 
men who perfoiiiied service with the regiment until they 
were disabled or mustered out. From this number subtract 
six hundred and sixty-one, leaving three hundred and thirty- 
one as the nnml)er who sutl'ered no serious casualty sufficient 
to disable them from duty, — or from duty by permanent 
disability. Now subtract three hundred and thirty-one 
from three hundred and seventy who were mustered out at 
expiration of term of service, leaving thirty-nine as the 
number who returned to the regiment from general hospitals, 
recovered from wounds and disease. 

Surely the war for the life of the republic was bloody, 
and the sacrifices in men and treasure beyond calculation. 

ROSTER OF SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 
Mustered out at Taunton, Massadmsetts, June 27, 1864. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
< of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Darius N. Couch, Col., - 
Nelson H. Davis, Col., - 
Josepli Wl)eel()ck,Col., - 
David A. Russell, Col., 
Thomas D. Johns, Col., 
Chester W. Green, Lieut. Col., 
Charles Raymond, Lieut. Col., 
Franklin P. Harlow, Lieut. Col, 
David E. Holnuin, Major, - 
Franklin P. Ilarlnw, Major, - 
Joseph B. Leonard, Major, - 
S. Atherton Holman, Surj;., - 
William H. Liueoln, Surit., - 
Z. Boylston Adams, Asst. Snrj;. 
William H. Lincoln, Asst. Surg, 
Arthur W. Cowdrv, Asst. Surg, 
David H. Dyer, Ciipt., - 
John Cusliing, Capt , 
Charles T. Robinson, Capt., - 
Joseph B. Leonard, Capt., 
Horace Fox, Capt., 
Zeha V. Bliss, Capt., - 
John B. Whiteonil), Capt., - 
Ward L. Foster, Capt., - 
.John F. Aslde\-, Capt., - 



June 15, '61 Brig. Gen. U. S. V., Sept. 4. 1861. 

Sept. 4, "61 Nov. 18, '61, Asst. Ins. Gen. U.S.A. 

Nov. 20, '61 Jan. 30, 1862, resigned. 

Jan. 31, '62 Brig Gen U. S. Y., Nov. 29, 1862. 

Feb. 22, '63 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

June If), '61 Nov. 22, 1861, resigned. 

Nov. 23, '61 Oct. 24, 1862, do 

Oct. 2.i, '62 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

June L"), '61 Aug. 1, 1861. resigned. 

Aug. 1, ;61 Lieut. Col. Oet. 2."), 1862. 

Oct. 2."), "(Vi June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

June 1."), '61 Surgeon V . S. V., Sept. 9, 1863. 

Sei)t. 10, '63 June 27, 1M()4, e\i)iration of service. 

June l.\ '61 Mav 31, 1862, Sur-.32d Inf. 

Mav 27, '62Snrircon Sejit. 10, 1863. 

Aug. 14, '62 Oct. 26, 1863. 

June 15, '61 Nov. 12, 1861, resigned. 

15, '61 7,1861, do 

15, '61 Oct. 11,1861, (h. 

15, '61 Miyor, Oct. 2.-), 1862. 

15, '61 Nov. 30, 1861, resigned. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

15, '61 Auc. 1, 1861,rcsi!:ncd. 



254 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Franklin P. Harlow, Capt., - 
Edgar Roliinstm, Caiit., 
George W. Reed, Cai>t., 
George F. Holman, Capt., 
Othnlel Gilmore, Capt., 
William B. Stall, Capt., 
Hiram A. Oakman, Capt., 
James R. Mattliewson, Capt., 
William H. Gurney, Capt., - 
Prentiss :M. Whiting, Capt., - 
Dan Packard, Capt., 
Edward F. Hopkins, Capt., - 
David C. Bancroft, Capt., 
Christopher C. Weston, Capt., 
Wri-ht Bisliee, Capt., - 
William M. Hale, Capt., 
Hiram A. Oakman, Capt., - 
William M. Hale, Capt., 
Jesse F. Eddy, 1st Lient., - 
Jesse D. Bullock, 1st Lieut., - 
Edgar Robinson, 1st Lieut., - 
William B. Stall, 1st Lieut., - 
Hiram A. Oakman, 1st Lieut., 
James M. Lincoln, 1st Lieut., 
John W. Rogers, 1st Lieut., - 
Augustus W. Lothrop, 1 st Lt., 
Wifliam W. Fisher, 1st Lieut., 
George W Reed, Lst Lieut., - 
Othniel Gilmore, 1st Lieut., - j 
Daniel Edson, Jr., 1st Lieut., 
Al)iiali L. Mavhew, 1st Lieut., 
Gedrge F. Hohiian, 1st Lieut., 
Chas. B. Des Jardines, 1st Lieut. 
Dan Packard, 1st Lieut., - . 
William M. Hale, 1st Lieut., 
James R Mattlicwson, 1st Lt., 
William W. Carslev, 1st Lieut., 
William U. Nye, 1st Lieut., - 
William H. Guriiev, 1st Lieut., 
Prentiss ISl. Whitinu', Lst Lieut. 
John B. Burt, 1st Lieut., 
Thomas High, 1st Lieut., 
Edward F. Hopkins, 1st Lieut., 
Edward L. Langt'ord, 1st Lieut. 
Monroe F. Williams, 1st Lieut., 
David C. Bancroft, 1st Lieut., 
Christopher C Weston, 1st Lt., 
Albert A. Tillson, 1st Lieut., - 
Edward N. DeaTi, 1st Lieut., - 
Wright Bisbee, 1st Lieut., - 
Leonard Hathaway, 1st Lieut., 
George W. Andrews, 1st Lieut., | 
James H. Langford, 1st Lieut., 
Antlionv Davis, 1st Lieut., - 
William H. Wade, 1st Lieut., 
James E. Seaver, 1st Lieut., - 
Charles T. Lee, 1st Lieut., - 
James W. Thompson, 1st Lieut. 
Henry W. Nichols, 1st Lieut., 



33 June 15 
25 iAug. I 

34 I 1 

23 Oct. 11 

25 [Nov. 8 

26 13 

35 [Dec. 1 
25 [Oct. 25 
33 Nov. 1 

25 I 22; 
32 Dec. 7 
29 Jan. 17 

26 iFeb. 2 

24 I May 5 
28 : June 11 
43 
37 
43 
24 
29 
25 
26 
34 



April 1 
Jan. 28. 
April 1 
June 15 
15 
15 
15. 
15: 
15 
15. 
15 
15 
15 
15. 
15 
1 
1 



21 
42 
27 
34 
25 
34 

39 I Aug 
23 

27 Sept. 1 

30 I Oct. 11 

40 iNov. 8 

24 13 

28 Dec. 1. 

27 June 26, 

33 July 12 

25 I 21 

21 23 

28 I Sept. 3 
29! 24 
25 Oct. 25 

31 'Nov. 1 
25 1 12; 
23 i 22. 
20 .Dec. 7 

22 7 

28 20. 
39 iJan. 17 

29 Feb. 2: 
27 Mar. 26, 

34 'Apr. 28: 

23 May 4! 
23 1 5: 

24! 8; 

29 Jxmell 

28 ; 18: 



Major Aug. 1, 1861. 

Feb. 1, 1863, resigned. 

Dec. 6, 1862, do 

Sept. 9,1862, do 

July 17, 1862. 

Nov. 11,1862, do 

Aug. 24, 1863. Recom. Jan. 28, '64. 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

27, 1864, do do 

Died of wounds May 4, 1863. - 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

10, 1863, disabilitv. 



'63 27, 1864, expiration of service- 

'63' 27, 1864, do do 

'63 Feb. 12, 1864, resigned. 

'64 Transf. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'64 Declined. Lieut. Col. U. S. C. T. 

'64 Transf. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 Mar. 4, 1863, resigned. 

'61 Died of wounds June 25, 1862. — 

'61 Captain Aug. I, 1861. 

'61 Captain Nov. 13, 1861. 

'61 1 Captain Dec. 1, 1861. 

'61 Dec. 19, 1862, resigned. 

'61 Captain 38th Inf. Aug. 12, 1862. 

'61 July 17, 1862, resigned. 

'6l'Ang. 3, 186), do 

'61 'Captain, Aug. 1, 1861. 

'61jCaptain, Nov. 8, 1 i61. 

'61 June 27, 1864, ex] ration of service. 

'6l!Sept. 23, 1862, dis;ibility. 



S61. 



Captain, Oct. U, 

Nov. 12, 1862. 

Captain, Dec. 7, 1 

Captain, Jul} 23, j2. 

Captain, Oct. 25, ] i2. 

July 11, 1862, re.si^ned. 

Dec. 6, 1862, ■ > 

Captain, Nov. 1, 862. 

Captain, Nov. 2? 1862. 

May 7, 1863, fof.iirpmotion. 

Apr. 27, 1863, di,, tility. 
'62'Captain, Jan. 17j,c-863. 
'62 June 27, 1864, ex' tion of service. 
'62'Ann-. 14, 1863, ri gned. 
'62Ca|itain, Feb. 2, S63. 
'62 Captain, May 5, ,' <63. 
'02 Killed .May 3, '63, '^red'ksburg,Va. 
'62 June 27, 1864, exi ation of service. 
'62,Captain, June 11, '863. 
'63 June 27, 1S64, exp' ition of service. 
17, 1863, resi ned. 
27, 1864, exp. ition of service. 
27,1864, ('0 do 

27, 1864, do do 

_ Nov. 1, 1863, resigned. 
63 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'63 1 27, 1864, do , do 

63 Died of wounds May 12, 1864. 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



255 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



€liarlos E. Cadv, 1st Lieut., - 
William II. Nve,2d Lieut., - 
Gec)r;:v W. Git'ronl, 2(1 Lieut., 
Geoi-eF. Il.ilinan, 2(1 Lieut , 
Williaiu M Hale, 2(1 Lieut., - 
M-JUiain W. Cai>lev, 2(1 Lieut., 
James K. Martliewx.n, 2(1 Lieut, 
Williaui V. White, 2(1 Lieut., 
Muiiroe F. ^Villiaul8, 2(1 Lieut. 
C. H. Des Jan lilies, 2(1 Lieut., 
Aliiiah L.Mavhew, 2d Lieut., 
William II. fJuniey, 2d Lieut., 
William ()'Neil.2(i Lieut., - 
J(jsiah M. Eaton, 2d Lieut., - 
Prentiss M. Whitin-, 2(1 Lieut., 
Jolin 15. 15urt, 2(1 Lieut., 
Frank B. llavdeii. 2(1 Lieut., - 
Thomas lli-li, 2(1 Lieut., 
Edward L La ii- ford, 2(1 Lieut., 
Edward ¥. Hopkins, 2d Lieut., 
David C Haiicroft, 2d Lieut., 
Christo|iher C. Weston, 2d Lt., 
Pele- Mitcliell, 2(1 Lieut., 
All Kit A. Tillsou, 2d Lieut., - 
Wri.dit Bishee, 2d Lieut., 
Leonard Hatliawav, 2d Lieut., 
Geor-e W. Andrew.s, 2d Lieut., 
James H. Lan^^ford, 2d Lieut., 
AntlKinv Davis"; 2d Lieut., 
William H. Waile, 2d Lieut., 
Edward N.Deafn, 2d Lieut., - 
John A. Jones,'?d Lieut., 
James E. Seav r, 2(1 Lieut., - 
Cliarles T. L ■••^'d Lieut., - 
James W Th. 'ipson, 2d Lieut., 
Heurv W. Ni(:-;i)ls, 2d Lieut., 
Charles E. CadV,-2d Lieut., - 
Georjre M. Hattfll,2d Lieut., - 
John C. BoswoT^h, 2d Lieut., 
Earl P. Buwen-, &1 Lieut., - 
William J. Fi« ' -, 2d Lieut., 
Charles B. Hai .vav, 2d Lieut. 
Isaae F. Giles, .. Lieut., 
Luke B. XoyO \'^<l Lieut., 

Non-roinm^^sloned Staff. 

Dean. KtlwanK-i., Scrut. Major 
Lan-ford, Edv'.rd L., S-t SlaJ 
Nov(>, Luke IVV'^erjrt. Slajor, 
Wilkinson, Joi^u F., Sergtl Maj, 
Havden, Frau'UB., Q. M. Scrgt. 
Paekard, Dan^rflJ. M. Scrgt., - 
MeGreiror, Siih'ou, Q. M. Sergt., 
Th()m|ls(ni, J.ivV., Q. M. Scrgt.! 
Burt, John B., Com. Sergt., - 
Hill, Isaac F., Com. Sergt., - 
Niehols, Heiirv W., Com.Sergt 
Eldridge, Clia;.. II., Ilos.Stow., 
Shennati, Horace B., Hos. Stew 



July 18, 
June 13, 
IS, 
13, 
15, 
13, 
13, 
13, 
15, 
15, 
13, 
15, 
15, 

22 Aug. 4, 
24 ]Sei)t. 10, 
20 iNov. 3, 
22 i 7, 



Nov. 13, 
Dec. 1, 
June 18, 
26, 
July 12, 
21, 
23, 
11, 
3, 
24, 
25, 
1, 
12, 
22, 
7, 



Aug, 
26 Sept. 
33 

22 Oct. 
22 
32 
22 
23 
29 
27 
31 
22 
37 



Jan. li, 
Felt. 2, 
Mar. 26, 
Apr. 28, 
May 4, 
4, 
8, 
jjune 1 8, 



'63 June 27, 1864, exjtiratiou of service, 

'Gl First Lieut., June 26, 18G2. 

'61 Ann-. 3, 1861, resigned. 

'61 First Lieut., Aug. 1, 1861. 

'61 First Lieut., Nov. 8, 1861. 

'61 First Lieut., Dee. 1, 1861. 

'61 First Lieut., Nov. 13, 1861. 

'6I1N0V. 6, 1861, resigned. 

•6llFirst Lieut., Nov. 1, 1862. 

'61 First Lieut., Sept. 1, 1861. 

'61 First Lieut., Au4r. 1, 1861. 

'61 First Lieut., Julv 12, 1862. 

'61 Nov. 6, 1861, rcsiffued. 

'61 2, 1861, (io 

•61 First Lieut. Julv 21, 1862. 

'61 First Lieut., Julv 23, 1862. 

'61 June 16, 1862, rcsi:,nied. 

'61 First Lieut., Sept. 3, 1862. 

'61 First Lieut., Oct. 23, 1862. 

'61 First Lieut., Sept. 24, 18h2. 

'61 First Lieut., Nov. 12, 1862. 

'62 First Lieut., Nov. 22, 1862. 

'62 Died AuiT. 10, 1862. 

'62 First Lieut., Doc. 7, 1862. 

'62 First Lieut., Dee. 7, 1862. 

'62 First Lieut., Julv 17, 1863. 

'62 First Lieut., Feb. 2, 1863. 

'62 First Lieut., Mar. 26, 1863. 

'62 First Lieut., Apr. 28, 1863. 

'62 First Lieut., Mav 4, 1863. 

'62 First Lieut., Dee 7, 1862. 

'62 June 27, 1864, exiiiration of service. 

'62 First Lieut., Mav 5, 1863. 

'62 First Lieut., May 8, 1863. 

'62 First Lieut., June 11, 1863. 

'62 First Lieut., June 18, 1863. 

'62 First Lieut.. June 18, 1863. 

'63 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'63 Oct. 23, 18(;3. 

'63 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'63 Transferred to 37th Inf. 

'63 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'63 27, 1864, do do 

•63, 27, 1864, do do 



21 June 15, '61 Second Lieut., Nov. 1, 1862. 
24 j 15, '61 Second Lieut., Nov. .s, 1861. 
24 I 15, '61 Second Lieut., June 18, 1863. 

26 13, '61 June 27. 1864, exi)iratiou of service. 

22 i 13, '61 .Second Lieut., Nov. 7, 1861. 
30 13, '61 First Lieut.. Oct. 11, 1861. 

22 i 13, '61 June27, 1M64, exiiiration of service. 

27 I 13, '61 Second Lieut., Dec. 7, 1862. 
20 ; 15, '61 .Second Lieut., Nov. 3, 1861. 

27 13, '61 June 27, is64, expiration of service. 

26 : 15, '61 Second Lieut., Dec. 20. 1862. 

27 13, '61 June 27. lS(i4, expiration of service. 
22 , 13, '61 Aug. 8, 1862, disalnlitv. 



256 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Non-Com. Stajf— Con. 
Dolan, Thomas, Prin. Mus., - 
Dolan, Tliomas, Prin. Mus., - 
Sheehaii, Roljert, Prin. Mus., - 
Shechan, KoDert, Prin. Mus., - 
"Wilkinson, John F., Prin. Mus., 

Band. 

Thompson, Zacloc, Jr., Leader, 
Allen, George H., - 
Bailey, Augustus, - - - 
Bowles, William A., 
Cushman, Charles F., 
Hansen, Edward W., 
Hatton, Fra;ncis E., - 
Jackson, William H., 
Jeffords, Sylvander, - - - 
Knapp, Edward C, - 
Lane, Parker W., - 
Makinson, John F., - 
Pond, William A., - 
Russell, Warren S., - 
Shepard, Lewis C, - 
Smith, George C, - 
Soule, George - - - - 
Stanley, Stephen 
Thompson, Asaph P., 
Wood, Horatio N., - 

Company A. 

Durfec, Tlioinas M., 1st Sergt., 
Lann'tbrd, Edward L., 1st Sergt 
McEwen, John, 1st Sergt., 
Bennett, Franeis F., Sergt., - 
Bowen, Earl P., Sergt., - 
Briichtnian, .James L., Sergt., - 
Burge^«, Elijah F., Sergt., 
Canavan, John, Sergt., - 
Davis, Anthony, Sergt., - 
Kay, Henry E., Sergt., - 
Langford, James H., Sergt., - 
Nichols, Henry W., Sergt., - 
Palmer, Albert S., - 
Carr, George A., Corp., - 
Clough, James, Corp., 
Davol, Leander A., Corp., 
Dunn, William A., Corp., 
Harden. Frank B., Corp., 
Hill, William, Corp., 
Mather, Joseph, Corp., - 
Picktbnl, Thomas, Corp., 
White, Gideon Foster, Corp., - 
Brady, Martin, Musician, 
Brown, George A., Musician, - 
Dickertoil, William, Musician, 
Dyer, Edwin J., Musician, 
Shechan, Roliert, Musician, - 
Bennett, Ilenrv B., Wagoner, 
Adams, Charles P., - " - 
Adams, William, 



24 i June 15, '61 

26 iFeh. 24, '64 

27 j June 15, '6 
29 Feb. 26, '64 
26 June 15, '61 



Feb. 2Z, 1864, to re-enlist. 
Transf. June 14, 1864, to 77th Inf: 
Feb. 2.5, 1864, to re-enlist 
Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf: 
Appointed Sergt. Major. 



June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
1.5, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 



June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
1.5, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 

Feb. 13, 

June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 

Auff 11, 



Aug. 



Oct. 

Feb. 

Aug. 
61 
61 
'61 
'61 
"61! June 
'61 Aug 
'61 
'61 Died 



11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
17,1861, 
25, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
18, 1862, 
11, 1862, 
11,1862. 
Aug. 7, ' 



order War Dept. 



do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


, do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


disability. 




do 




order War Dept. 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


, disalnlity. 




order War 


Dept. 


do 


do 


'62, Ft. Monroe, Va 



Transf. Aug. 12, '63', to Sig. Corps. 

Sergt. Major, Aug. 1. 1861. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Second Lieut. May 4, 1863. 
'61 Killed INIay 3, '63," Salem Hts., Va. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'61 Deserted Oct. 10, 1862. 
'61 Second Lieut. Sept. 24, 1862. 
'61i June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'6lLsecond Lieut. Sept. 3. 1862. 
'6i:Com. Sergt. Jan. 30, 1862. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'61 27, 1864, do do 

'GlDied June 18, '63, Wash'gton, D.C. 
'61| June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'eilTransf. Aug. 19, '63, to Inv. Cor. 
'61!q. M. Sergt. Oct. 11, 1861. 
'61 Died May 7, '64, Wilderness, Va. 
'6l! June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'61| 27. 1864, do do 

'6llFeb. 28, 1863, disability. 
'6ll June 27, 1 864, expiration of service. 
'62 Transf. June 14, '64, to 37th Inf. 
'61 Dec. 23, 1862, disability. 
'61 Jan. 18, 1862, minority. 
'6llPrincipal Musician. 
'61 Apr. 1 , 1862, disability. 
'6llAug. 15, 1861, do 
'62 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



257 



NAME AND RANK. 



Company A — Con. 
Allen, Charles C. - 
Allen, Theodore II. - 
Anthony, Charles W. 
Baldwin, Amos, 
liarker, Frank, 
Beanniont, Joseiih, - 
Benson, James F. - 
Boomer, Nathan H. 
Booth, Riehard, 
Borden, Arthnr II. - 
Bostiek, Samnel, 
Brayton, Thomas L. 
Bra'mwood, "William, 
Bnllinton, James 
Bnrf,'ess, Freeman II. 
Bnrt, John B.- 
Carroll, Henrv, 
Carr, William" W. - 
Chaee, Andrew J. - 
Chaee, Hiram, 
Chaee, Philip. 
Col)l), JohnB. - 
Con ley, Lawrenee, - 
Coyle, Thomas F. - 
Cumiinjjliam, John, 
Daley, James, - 
Desmond, Patrick, - 
Dickenson, John, 
DowiMiiiT, Cornelius B. - 
Dnnnini;, Elien P. - 
Dunham, Isaac Jr. - 
Dwifxlit, Ku;;ene, 
Elsliree, Alamanza S. 
Gcrrv, Benjamin S. 
Gerry, John W. 
Gerry, Nathainel S. 
Glidden, Benjanun R. 
Goss, Walter S. 
Green, Daniel, - - - 
Green, James E. 
Greenhal;rh, John, - 
Greirorv, Robert, 
Hampsi.n, William, 
Hannaford, James - 
Hardinj;, C'liristopher, 
Hardinir, Christopher, 
Hardin;;, Lawrenee, 
Herrin, Patrick, 
Kellcy, Micliael 
Liinj:," Richard, 
Liiwton, .\ndrew S. - 
Leonar.l, William, - 
Lincoln, Willard B. 
Lons.lale, Thomas, - 
Mahonev, Daniel - 
Malone," Peter, 
Manchester, William C. - 
>[arvel, Edward T. - 
Martin, Frank, 



Date 
of Muster. 



TerniinHtion of Service and 
cause thereof. 



23 JunclS, 'eVApr. 1, 1862, di-sability. 

26 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

22 15, "61 Feb. 18, 1862, disability. 

19 15, '61 June 27, 1864, exjiiration of service. 

18 15, '61 Oct. 14, 1S6-J, disability. 

19 15, '61 Aui;, 5, 1861, do 

42 Aug. 11, '62 June 27, 1864, expiration o|" service. 

24 June 15. '6rSei)t. 12, 186 1, to enlist in Navy. 
28 Aug. 11, 62 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

25 June 15, '61 Julv 10, 1861, order Sec. of War. 
42 Aug. 11, '62 May 14, 1864, disability. 
19 June 15, '61 Juiic 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 27,1864, do do 

erAug. 24, 1861, order Sec. of War. 
61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
61 Com. Sergt. Julv 1. 1861. 



44 
26 
20 

30 

21 

19 

27 

33 

21 

20 

30 

27 

30 

30 

35 

31 

19 

18 

26 

19 

25 

26 

37 

27 

20 

28 

27 

19 

28 

36 

38 June 15 

40 Dec 27, 

42 Aug. 11, 

20 June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 

29 Aug. 27, 
1 27 June 15, 



15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

Aug. 27, 

June 15, 

15, 

Aug. 11, 

June lo, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

Aug. 1 1, 

June 15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

Aug. 27, 



35 



21 



'61 Died Nov. 30, 1861. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

*61 Nov. 15, 1861, disaliility. 

•61 Dec. 31, 1862, do 

'61 Dropi.ed from rolls Apr. 27, 1864. 

'61 June 27, lcS64, expiration of service. 

'6M)eserte(l Dec. 6. 1862. 

'61 [Deserted Jan. 5, 1863. 

'(ill Never joini'd for service. 

'61 Desertid Dee. 6, 1862. 

'62 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

■61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Oct. 28, 1861, disabilitv. 

•61 Dropped from rolls April 27, 1864. 

'61 Aug. I, 1861, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27,1864, do do inCo.F. 

'61 Died May 17,'62,Williamsburg,Va. .^ 

'()2 June 27, 1.S64, exi)iration of service. 

•61 Transf. Feb. l.'., 1864, to V. R. C. 

'61 June 27, 1^64, expiration of service. 

•61 Deserted Oct. 20, 1862. 

•61 Nov. 1.-., l,S(il, disabilitv. 

'61 Deserted Ai)ril 27, 1864. 

'61 .hnu'27, 1^64, expiration of service. 

•6i:Apr. 1, 1H62, disabilitv. 

'61;l)ce. 2(), 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63:Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. /t^iX- r'^\ 

•62 Died Jan. 1, '64, Brandy Sta'n, Va. Q ' ' 

•61|Dropped from rolls April 27, 1864. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

•61'Died Mav 6, 1862, Williamsb'g.Va. _ 

•61 Deserted Dec. 7, 1862. 

•61 Nov. 21, 1862, disability. 

•61 Apr. 18, 1862, do 

•61 Deserted July 29, 1862. 

61 June 27, 1864, exi)iiation of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

•61 Nov. 21, 1862, disabilitv. 

•61 Mju-. 5. 1863. do 



15 



258 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause tliereof. 



Company A — Con. 
Martin, John C. 
McQuillan, Joseph, - 
Meadowcraft, "William, - 
Monks, Major, ... 

Murphy, Thomas, - 
O'Beirne, James, 
O'Neil, Daniel J. - - - 
O'Neil, James, - - - 

Peckham, Daniel H. - - 
Peckham, John R.- 
Randall, Edward E. 
Ray, James, . . - - 
Reed, George H. - - - 
Reed, Thomas A. - - - 
Roberts, Ebenezer T. 
Rowe, Zacheus, . - - 
Ryan, Lawrence, 
Ryerson, Simeon, - 
Sanderson, William H.- 
Scott, William, 

Sellers, John, .... 
Shaw, John, . . - - 
Shaw, John, Jr. - - - 
Swan, Horace S. 
Taylor, John, . . - - 
Tei-ry, Charles W. - - - 
Tootles, Edward, 
Turner, Seth F. 
Uncles, William, - 
Watson, Wallace R. 
Whalon, James, 
Whalon, John, 

Willis, Charles H. - - - 
Withercil, Eben A. - 
Wordell, James H. - - - 
Young, Joseph H. - 

Company B. 

Davis, Ro])ert F., 1st Sergt. - 
Eaton, Josiah J., 1st Sergt. - 
Jones, John A., 1st Sergt. 
Mitchell, Peleg, 1st Sergt. 
Bntwn, William A., Sergt. 
Bol-er, Joseph, Sergt. - 
Cahoon, James F., Sergt. 
Liinnagan, John, Sergt. - 
Anderson, John, Corp. - 
Bullock, Job F., Corp. - 
Burrows, Isaac H., Corp. 
O'Brien, Patrick H., Corp. 
O'Brien, Patrick H., Corp. 
Pierce, Oliver W., Corp. - 
Regan, David, Corp. 
Rose, Eli v., Corp. - 
Rvan, Michael, Corp. 
Smith, Patrick, Corp. 
York, Andrew, Corp. 
Birtwell, Thomas E., Musician, 
Sullivan, Jeremiah, Musician, - 



34 June 15, '61 July 1, 1861, disability. 
19 15, '6J June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

29 Aug. 11, '62 27, 1864, do do 

23 June 15, '61 Died Feb 22,'62,Camp Brightwood. 
19 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

36 15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

23 15, '61 Dec. 16, 1863, disa))ility 

24 15, '61 Killed May 3, '63, Marie's Hts., Va. 
22 15, '61 Died July 29, '62, Harr. Land'g. Va. 
22 15, '61 Dec. 22, 1862, disal)ility. 

18 Jan. 31, '62,Transf. June 14,' 64, to 37th Inf. 
22 June 15, '61 Aug. 17, 1863, disability. 

25 15, '61 1 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
1 21 15, 'eiiDied July 15,'62, Sayage Sta'n, Va. 

25 Aug. 11, '62jTransf. Noy. 15, 1863, to V. R. C. 
29 27, '61 Mar. 14, 1863, disability. 

22 June 15, '6rJune 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
41 I Aug. 27, '6l|Died Mar. 8, 1863, Falmouth, Va. 

19 'June 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

34 15, '61' 27, 1864, do do 
22 15, '61 Nov. 14, 1863, to enlist in Navy. 
39 15, '61 July 20, 1862, disal)ility. 

18 15, '61 Deserted Oct. 10, 1862. 

18 15, '6l|Feb. 28, 1863, disability. 

35 Aug. 11, '62!June 27, 1864, exi.iration of service. 

25 1 11, '62|Died May 7, '64, Wilderness, Va. 
29 I June 15, '61 See Company K, 37th Inf. 

21 |Aug.27, '6l|Transf. Nov. 15, 1863, to V. R. C. 

26 1 June 15, '61iKilled May 3, '63, Salem Hts., Va. 
— jjuly 1, 'nliTransf. Sept. 1, 1863, to V. R. C. 

22 June 15, '61:June27, 1864, exi)iration of service. 

19 I 15, '6l:0ct. 20, 1862, disability. 

35 Jan. 31, '62 Died Oct. 10, '62, Ft. Monroe, Va. 

23 June 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
23 Aug. 11, 62 Killed May 5, '64, Wilderness, Va. 
22 June 15, '61 Oct. 22, 1862, disability. 



June 15, '61: June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'61 Second Lieut. Aug. 4, 1861. 
'61 Second Lieut. Nov. 12, 1862. 
'61 Second Lieut. Aug. 12, 1862. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of seryice. 



15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Feb. 28, 
June 15, 
15. 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 



'611 



27, 1864, 
'611 27,1864, do do 

'6r 27,1864, do do 

'61 Sept. 10, 1861, disability. 
'61 Nov. 21, 1862, disability. 
'61 Dec. 25, 18(i3, to re-enlist. 
'61 Feb. 27, 1864, to re-enlist. 
'64Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'QV 27, 18^14, do do 

'61^ 27, 1864. do do 

'61 Killed May 3, '63, Salem Hts., Va. 
'61 June 27, 1»64, expiration of service. 
'61 Transf. Jan. 15, 1864, to V. R. C. 
'61 June 27, 1H64, expiration of service. 
'61, 27, 1864, do do 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



259 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company B — Con. 
Holmes, Peter A., Wagoner, 
Anderson, Andrew, - 
Atwood, Frederick, - 
Barker, Francis, 
Beers, Hiram S. - - 
Bificlow, Lncins T., Jr. - 
Brii,^i:s, Andrew, 
Bri-litnian, IlenrvW. - 
Briikaw, Al.nuii, 
Brokaw, Alirain, 
Brown, Henry E. - 
Brocklehnrst, Jolin, 
Bnftinton, Israel, Jr. 
Burrows, Isaac H. - 
Church, James G. - 
Costello, Patrick, - 
Crompton, George, - 
Cunningham, John, 
Cunningham, John, 
Davis, Edward E. - 
Davis, Otis H. 
Doane, Henry, 
Donolme, William, - 
Donoliue, Wiiliani, - 
Dunhaui, Icliahod H. 
Elsliree, Edwin P. - 
Elshree, Frederick O. - 
Farren, Henry S. 
Farnsworth, William H. - 
Finneran, John, 
Fish, John R. - - 

Fleet, James, - 
Fletcher, Pliineas D. 
Galligan, Bartley, - 
Grinisliaw, Julm, 
Hadtield, Thomas, - 
Hamer, John G. 
Hamer, .John G. 
Haml.ly, .lolin G. - 
Harrihan, Tlinnias, - 
Haseltine, William, - 
Hathaway, Warren, 
Haves, Steplien, 
Hedge, Lemuel M. - 
Holeliouse, .lames, - 
Holelionsc, Jolm 
Kcllev, James, 
Kellcy, Miciiael C. - 
Kcenan, John, 
Keenan, Samuel 11. - 
Liikc, Alexander, 
Lotta, Rol)ert, 
Mahoncv, William, - 
Man ley, "Edward, - 
Manchester, Lorenzo, 
Mather, Thomas, 
McLeoil, William - 
Meaney, Patrick, 
Meanev, Patrick, 



39 June 15, "61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

22 15, '61 Deserted Aug. 4, 1862. 

21 Mar. 4, T)2 Fel). 6, 1863, disability. 

30 June 15, '61 June 27, 1«64, exi)iration of service. 

I 24 15, '61 Died Sept. 21, '62, Newport News. /S 

23 15, '61 Deserted Dec. 18, 1862. ^ 
I 33 15, '61 June 27, ISG I, expiration of service. 

I 22 15, '61 l)n>i>pe(l from rolls Aiir.26, 1864. 

20 Jan. 20, '62 Dec. 26, 1863, to n--ciilist. 
I 22 Dec. 27, '63Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
' 22 June 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

31 15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

22 15, '61 6, 1864, disability. 

22 Dec. 26, 63 Transf. June 14, '64, to 37th Inf. 
19 June 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
18 j 15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

31 I 15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

27 Feb. 19, '62 Feb. 27, 1864, to re-enlist. 
29 28, '64 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

22 June 15, '61 Nov. 16, 1863, order War Dept. 

15, '61 Transf. Dec. 15, 1863, to V. R. C. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, 'ei'Jan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 
Jan. 21, '64 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
June 15, 

15. 



'61|June27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'61 Mar. 2, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 Deserted May 18, 1863. 

15, '61 Deserted Nov. 30, 1862. 

15, '61 Deserted Sept. 1, 1862. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 Oct. 14, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 Feb. 18, 1862, do 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, exjiiration of service. 

15, '61 Died Oct 21, 18H2, Taunton. 

15, '61 Feb. 20, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 Mar. 9, 18(i2, do 

15, '61 Jan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 
Jan. 21, '64 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
June 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61iMar. 9, 1862. 

15, '61 Killed May 3, '63, Salem Hts., Va. -— 

15, '61 Juiu' 27, 1864,exi)iration of service. 
Mar. 3, '62 Died June 8, 1862, Baltimore, Md.ci 
June 15, '61 Mar. 9, 1863, disability. 

15, '61 Deserted Nov. 17, 1861. 

15, '61 Deserted Sept. 17, 1862. 

15, '61 Deserted Sept. 5, 1862. 

15, '61 Sei.t. 15, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 Dec. 10, 1861, minority. 

15, '61 Mar. 26, 18(!2, disability. 

15, '61 Sept. 10, 1861, do 

15, '61 Deserted Dec. 18, 1862. 

15, '61 Deserted Nov. 28, 1861. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

15, '61 Deserted Oct. 18, 1861. 

15, '61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 
Dec. 27, '63 Tnvnsf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
I 



260 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Termination of Service and 
cause tliereof. 



Company B — Con. 
Morse, Andrew, 
Munroe, John H. - - 
Murphy, John, 
Musson, Thomas, - 
Norton, Henry F. - 
ONeil, Robert, 
Patterson, John, 
Pierce, Oliver V. 
Potter, James H. - - 
Porter, Alexander, 
Pncell, William, 
Puceli, William, - 
Quinley, Kirhard H. 
Quinley, Richard H. 
Reed, Gustavus L. - 
RuUerri, Joseph, 
Rushy, George, 
Shawcross, Bristo, - 
Slocum, Frederick A. 
Smith, John, - - - 
Smithers, Samuel, - 
Smythe, Robert, 
Smvthe, Rolwrt, 
Sullivan, Michael - 
Sullivan, Timothy, - 
Swindles, Joseph, - - - 
Vickery, Augustus, - - - 
Vocell, James A.- 
Wallace, Thomas A. - - 
Warhurst, William, - - - 
Washburn, Arthur, - 
West, P:(l\vard P. - - - 
White, Thomas A.- 
Willis, George E. - - - 
Will)ur, Albert B. - - - 
Wilbur, Lloyd, 
Wilbur, Llovd, 
Winslow, Ainel W. - 
Withington, Henry, 
Wordell, Ephraim, - - - 
Wright, John G. - - - 

Companj'^ C. 

Benton, Hem-y S., 1st Sergt. - 
Benton, Henry S., 1st Sergt. - 
Dunliam, William M., 1st Sergt. 
O'Ncil, William, 1st Sergt. 
Weston, Christopher C, 1st Sgt. 
Dunham, George L., Sergt. 
Hathaway, Leonard, Sergt. 
Nichols, John, Sergt. 
Paine, Levi R., Sergt. 
Robinson, Henry H., Sergt. - 
Rogers, Hiram, Sergt. 
Rogers, Hiram, Sergt. 
Staples, Edward C , Sergt. 
Staples, Edward C, Sergt. 
Andrews, Daniel D., Corp. 
Cahooii, William C, Corp. 



32 June 15, 



22 

19 

29 

19 

20 

35 

28 

18 

22 

32 

34 Dec. 27. 

34 Mar. 4, 

Dec. 27, 

June 15, 

15, 



25 



'61 July 10, 1861, disability. 

•61 Deserted Jan. 22, 1862. 

'61 Deserted Nov. 17, 1861. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

27, 1S64, do do 

61 Deserted Dec. 18, 1862. 
'61iDeserted Sept. 5, 1862. 
'61 Mar. 3, 1862, disability. 
'61 4, 1862, do 

'61 Deserted Apr. 26, 1864. 
'61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 
'63 Transf. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
'62iDec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 
'63 Killed May 6, '64, Wilderness, Va. 
'01 Deserted Dec. 10, 1862. 
'61iTransf. Mar. 31, 1864, to V. R. C. 



15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Dec. 27, 
June 15, 
Aug. 22, 
June 15, 
Feb. 12, 
June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Feb. 26, 
26, 
June 15, 
15, 
Dec. 27, 
June 15, 
Feb. 7, 
June 15, 
Feb. 11, 



June 15, 

Dec. 27, 

June 15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

Dec. 27, 

June 15, 

Jan. 21, 

June 1 5, 

15, 



July—, 1861, disal)ility. 



'61 Feb. 28, 1863, disalnlitv. 

'61 20, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63 Transf. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61|Mar. 9, 1863, disability. 

'61 Deserted Oct 1, 1862. 

'61 Mar. 11, 1863 disability. 

'62 Dropped from rolls April 26, 1864. 

'61 Nov. 19, LS62, disability. 

'61 Died Nov. 17, 1-^62, Fall River. 

'61 Killed May 5, '64, Wilderness, Va. 

'61, June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'6l|Killed May 6, '64, Wilderness, Va. 

'62 Deserted Nov. 16, 1862. 

'62 Transf. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61|Dec 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63:Transf. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61' June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'62:Transf. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'6liDeserted Sept. 5, 1862. 

'62 Died July 8, '62, Ports'h Grove, R.I. 



'6rDec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63 Died of wds. Julyl0,'64, Alex'a,Va. 

'eijKilled May 3, '63, Salem Hts., Va. 

•61 Second Lieut. Aug. 1, 1861. 

'61 Second Lieut. June 18, 1862. 

eilDied Feb 6,'63, gunboat Cincinnati 

61 Second Lieut. July 23, 1862. 

'61lDeserted Jan.20, 1863. 

'611 June 27, 1 8ii4, expiration of sei-^ice. 

•61'July 4, 18(il, order War Dept. 

'61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63,Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'6liJan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

'64 Transf. June 14, '64, to 37th Inf. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Jan. 21, 1864, to re-enlist. 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



2G1 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 

<! of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company C — Coil 
Cahoon, William C, Corp. 
Dennis, Alex. J., Corp. - 
Hasoltiiio, Hiram R., Corp. 
Hathaway, William E., Corp. 
Hathaway, William E., Corp. 
Hamilton, John L., Corp. 
Hamilton, John L., Corp. 
Perkins, Salmon W., Corp. 
Pitts, Jolm H., Corp. 
Pitts, John H., C(n-p. 
Ross, Davi.l, Corj). - 
Sfkhean, Charles, Corp. - 
Staples, Charles K.,Corp. 
Staples, Charles K., Corp. 
Dolan, Thomas, Mnsieian, 
Marrs, Gcor>:;e M., Mnsieian, 
Waile, Harrison A., Mnsieian, 
Guthrie, Roger C, Wagoner, 
Adams, Westley F. - 
Andros, Charles E.- 
Ariel, Isaae, 
Briggs, Roland W. - 
Burns, Alexander, - 
Carev, Miehael, 
Caswell, Lamliert O. 
Casev, Miehael D. - 
Cbaee, Baylies R. - 
Cliaee, Joseph A. - - 
Chaee, Joseph H. - 
Cole, George N. 
Cole, George N. - - 
Conlin, Owen, 
Coogan, Patriek, 
Coreoran, Daniel, 
Corrigan, William, - 
Cronan, Andrew, 
Cummings, Robert, 
Cusliing, Henry J. - 
Dean, John Q. A. 
Drake, Samuel W. - 
Dyer, Peter, - 
Eagan, John, - - - 
Ellis, Warren, . - - 
Fisher, Gustavus, - 
Foley, James, - - - 
Fox, John, - - - 
Fuller, George W. - 
Gilehrist, Patrick, - 
Grinnell, David, 
Hand, Miehael, 
Haiy>riek, William, - 
Hart, John, . - - 
Hathaway, Henry E. 
Hiekey, Patriek," - 
Hinds, James H. 
Hinds, John B. 
Holland, Patriek, - 
Kelley, James, 
Kcllev, James, 



Jan. 24, '62,Transf. June 1.'),' 64, to 37th Inf. 

June 15, 'eilAug. 27. 1862, disalality. 

15, '61 June 27, 1S64, expiration of service, 
lo, "eiJan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

Jan. 21, '64 Transf. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

June 15, '61 Jan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

Jan. 21, '64 Killed Mav 6, '64, Wilderness, Va. 

June 15, ■61Sciit. 4, 1S()2, disalnlitv. 
15, '61 Jan. 20, 1.S6J, to re-enlist. 

Jan. 21, '64 Killed June 3,'G4, 15ethesdaCh.,Va. 
19 June 15, '61 June 27, 1W4, exjjiration of service. 
30 15, '61 Deserted Jan. 20, 1863. 

24 15, '61 .Jan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

26 Jan. 21, '64 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
24 June 15, '61 Princiiial Musician. 
19 15, '61 June 27, 1864, exi)irationof sei'vice. 

15 15, '61 Jan. 3, 1863, disability. 

28 15, '61; June 27, 1864, expiration of sei-vice. 

19 15, '61| 27, 18ii4, do do 

26 15, '61! 27, 1864, do do 

22 15, '61 Transferred to 37th Inf. 

21 15, 'filJunc 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

21 15, '61 Deserted Jan. 2, 1863. 

20 15, '61 Died Oct. 4, '61, Brightwood, D.C. 

24 15, '61 Mar. 21, 1863, disability. 

25 15, '61 June 27, 1864, exi)iration of service. 
18 15. '61 Sept. 11, 1861, disability. 

21 15, '61 Deserted Jan. 20, 1863. 
25 15, '61 June 8, 1862, disability. 

27 15, *61 Dee. 26, 1863, to re-en'list. 

29 Dec. 27, '63Tran.'<f. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

23 June 15, '61 Jan. 21, 1863, disability 
32 15, '61 Mav 5, 1862, disability. 

30 15, '61 Deserted Dec. 11, 186!^. 

23 15, '6li - - - _ 

34 15, '61 Feb. 2, 1863, disability. 

28 j 15, '61 Deserted Jan. 20, 1803! 

18 Feb. 19, '62 Transf. Mar. 7, 1864, to V. R. C. 
17 June 15, '61 Transf. Aug. 1, 1863. to V. R. C. 

15, '61 Aug. 8, 1862, disal)ility. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, exi)iration of service. 

15, '61 Deserted Sept. 1, 1862. 

15, '61 Deserted Jan. 20, 1863. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, exiiiration of service. 

1.-., '61 l)ie<l Mav 3, '63, Salem Hts., Va. 

15, 'til Diedof wils. Mayl9,'64,Fred'ksb'g. 

15, 61 June 27. 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 27, 18()4, expiration of .service. 

15, '61 Deserteil Sopt. 8, 1862. 

15, '61 l)e>erte,l Jan. 20, 1863. 

15, '()! Jtiiu27, 1864, exjiiration of .service. 

15, '61 Killed Mav 6. '64, Wilderness. Va. 

15, '61 June 12, 1 865, Pres. proclamation. 

15, '61 Deserted Jan. 20. 1863. 

15, '61 Nov. 13, 1862, disalality. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 27. 1864, do do 

15, '61 1 27, 1864, do do 

15, 'ei.May 19, 1862, disability. 



262 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRT. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause tliereof 



Company C — Con. 
Kelley^ Morty, . . . 

Leddy, John, 

Lee, Joiseph, . . _ 

Littleton, Michael, - 
Martin, Elbridge, - - - 
Marshall, Frank, 
Martin, Kinsley, 
McGuire, Andrew, 
McManus, Andrew, 
McMann, John, - . - 
Medbury, Theophilus H. 
Mellville, Dean, 
Monaghan, Patrick, 
Moore, Robert, . - . 
Morse, Ezra, 
Murray, Patrick, 
Nixon, James, - . - 

O'Neil, George, ... 
Orcutt, Alpheus S.- 
Phillips, Henry, ... 
Pierce, Isaac 0. - - - 
Powers, Cornelius, - 
Powers, John, 

Powers, William, ... 
Rawson, James E.- 
Sanders, Lewis T. - - - 
Scandling, James, . - - 
Smith, James E. - - - 
Smith, James, 
Smith, Thomas J.- 
Talbot, Henry C. - - - 
Tracy, Thomas A.- 
Warren, George A.- 
Welch, Thomas A. - 
Whitteniore, George, 
Williams, Silas C. - - - 

Companj' D. 

Hatch, George M., 1st Sergt. - 
Pierce, Abner J., 1st Sergt. 
Seaver, James E., 1st Sergt. - 
Balibitt, Rollin H., Sergt. 
Blake, Samuel O., Sergt. 
Corey, Ebenezer, Sergt. - 
Lang, James, Sergt. 
Macomber, James H., Sergt. - 
Macomber, James H., Sergt. - 
Allen, James B., Corp. - 
Bliss, Matthew, Corp. 
Luther, James H., Corp. - 
Peck, George G., Corp. - 
WillianiH, Benjamin F., Corp. 
Wilbur, Chark'.s L., Corp. 
Chaniherlaiii, Edward W.,Mus. 
Neal, .JdIui, Musician, 
Mason, N. P^verett, Wagoner, - 
Barton, Lewis B. - - - 
Barrows, William J. 
Beach, Henry H. - - - 



June 15, 
13, 



June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Dec. 27, 
June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 



•61 Deserted Jan. 20, 1863. 

'61 Transf. Dec. 15, ISGH, to V. R. C. 

'61 Deserted Jan. 2, 1863. 

'61 June 27» 1864, expiration of service. 

•61 Deserted Jan. 20, 1863. 

•61 May 15,1865, Pres. proclamation. 

•eilDescrted July 3, 1863. 

'61iDec. 25, 1862, disability. 

•61 May 29, 1863, do 

'61 Sept. 22, 1862, do 

'61 Deserted Jan. 29, 1862. 

'61 Apr. 30, 1862, disability. 

'61 Deserted Jan. 20, 1863. 

'61 i Deserted June 3.1863. 

'61' June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, 

'61 27, 1864, 

'61 27, 1864, 

•61 27, 1864, 

•61 27, 1864, 

•61 Mar. 26, 1862, disability. 

•61 Deserted Dec. 11, 1862. 

'61 Feb. 18, 1863, disability. 

•61: 18, 1863, do 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Oct. 22, 1862, disability. 

'61 Died Sept. 7, 1862, Newport News. 

'61: _ _ _ _ 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61' 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Deserted Aug. 16, 1862. 

'61 Deserted Jan. 20. 1863. 

•61 Killed May 5, '64, Wilderness, Va. 

'61 Deserted Jan. 20, 1863. 

'61 Feb. 25, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 



do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 


do 



Second Lieut. Feb. 2, 1863. 
June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
Second Lieut. Nov. 22, 1862. 
June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

27, 1864, do do 
Deserted Dec. 2, 1862. 
June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 
Transf. Apr. 8, 1864, to Navy. 
Died of wounds May — , 1864. 



'6l!Jan. 5, 1864, disability. 

'6 r June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Transf. Sept. 30, 1863, to V. R. C. 

'61 Diedofwds. Mav-, '64,Wilderness. — , 

'61 Died May 3, 1863, Fred'ksburg,Va. v^i 

'61 Aug —. 1861, disability. ^ 

'6l|Junel7,1863, disability. 

'61 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'6rTransf. Feb. 12, 1864, to U. S. A. 

61 Sept. 14, 1861, disability. 

eilDied Jan. 22, 1864. 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



203 



NAME AND RANK. 



Company 7>— Con. 
Besse, Clll•i^^topllel• C. 
Besso, Chi-istopher C. 
Bidwoll, Cyrus B. - 
Bliss, Andrew, 
Boston, George W. - 
Branian, William O. 
Brigi^s, George T. - 
Brigtxs, George T. - 
Brigiis, Joel," - 
Briggs, Joel, - 
Brown, William 0. - 
Bul.ser, Mark W. - 
Burt, Charles, 
Cari)enter, William H. - 
Caswell, Geurw E. - 
Chaee, Orville S. 
Cliaee, Reuben, 
Chaee, Reuben, 
Codding, Henry H. 
Conlin, James, 
Carnes, James, 
Craig, William H. - 
Dary, Nelson, 
Davis, Thomas 
Dean, James A. 
Dean, James T. 
Dewsnap, John 
Doriran, Jeremiah, - 
Eddy, John F. 
Eldredge, Jeremiah, 
Eldredge, Jeremiah, 
Farrell, Benjamin, - 
Fenen, Edward, 
Frazier, Benjamin V. 
Fuller, Noel B. 
Galligan, Michael, - 
Gannnons, Augustus F. - 
Gamniuns, Edward, 
Gay. Charles, 
Gav, James L. 
Gibl)s, Ralph, 
Gilmore, James W. - 
Goodwin, James, 
Goodwin, James, 
Guild, Alonzo M. - 
Hamilton, Nanian D. 
Hathawav, Edward B. - 
Hatliawa'v, Isaae F. 
Hathawav, Isaae F. 
Hatliawav, Ruyai, - 
Hathawav, William, 
Hewett, Billiard L. - 
Hiekey, Eugene, 
Hudson, Horatio, - 
Hudson, Horatio, 
Ingells, George R. - 
Irving, Alexander, - 
Jones, Henry H. 
Ijcach, Horatio, 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



20 June 13, 'fil'Dcc. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. . 

22 Dec 27, '63Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. ^ 

18 June 15, '61 Sci>t. 4, 1861, disability. 
2A j 15, '61 Deserted Feb. 20, 1863. ' 

22 15, '61 Died of wds. May 6, '64, Wilderness 

20 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

21 [Jan. 6, '62 Jan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

23 21, '64Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
26 June 15, 61 Dee. 26, 1863, to rc-enli.st. 

28 Dec. 27, '63Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
25 Feb. I'J, '62Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

20 June 15, '61 Deserted Ai)ril 27, 1864. 

19 15, 'HI Died June 15, '62, Wh. House L'd'g. , 

21 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of .service. 
18 15, '61 Feb. 28, 1863, disahilitv. 

18 15, -61 Died Feb 18,'62,Canip Brightwood. 
21 Jan. 6, '62 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

23 !Dec. 27, '63Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
21 j Aug. 28, '61Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

19 IJune 15, '61 Died June 4, 1863. 

33 ! 15, '61 Deserted Feb. 20, 1863. 

32 Aug. 13, '62 Died Nov. 14, '62, Hagerstown, Md. 

18 June 15, 61 Nov. 2, 1862, disability. 

21 15, '61 Died of wounds May — , 1864. ■ 

21 1 5, '61 1 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

24 15, '61 Sept. 3, 1862, disability. 

24 15, 61 Died Aug. 1 1,'62, on Gov. transport o 

25 15, '61 Died of wounds Mav — , 1864. 

18 15, '6l|Feh. 2, 1863, disabilitv. 
28 15, '61 Jan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

30 Jan. 21, '64Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
21 June 15, 'eiJDied July 28, '62, Harr. Land'g, Va. 

20 15, '61 Deserted. 

28 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service, 

20 15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

21 15, '6rDeserted Dec. 20, 1862. 

19 15, '61 .Jan. 1», 1863, disabilitv. 
— 15, '61 Deserted Sci)t. 1, 1862. 
40 1.5, '61 Julv 111, 1861, disabilitv. 

19 15, '61 Died Aui;. 29,'62, Ni'wp't News,Va. 

39 15, ^liAug. 6, 1861, disability. 

25 15, 61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

22 I 15, -61 Dee. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

24 Dee. 27, '63 Killed Mav 6. '64, Wilderness, Va. -^ 
19 June 15, 61 Nov. 19, 1862, disat)ility. 

22 1 1.5, '61 Sept. 26, 1862, do 

23 I 15, '61 Mav 1.5, 1865, Pres. proclamation. 
18 Jan. 6, '62 Jan". 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

21, '64Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
June 15, '61 Died Dec 24, 1«62, Swanzey. 

15, '61 June 27, 1S64, expiration of service". 

15, '61 27. 1864, do do 

15, '61 Sept. 14, 1861, di.saliilitv. 

15, '61 Dee 26, 1863, to re.-enlist. 
Dec. 27, '63 Died of wounds Mav — , 1864. ^.- 
Juue 15, '61 Dec. 20, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 June 27, 1861, exi)iration of service. 
Jan. 6, '62 Died Oct. 21, '62, Washington, D.C. 
June 15, '61 Nov. 14, 1862, disabilitv. 



cM 



h^ 



d-^ 



{^^^^ 



2(34 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date Termination of Service and 

of Muster. cause thereof. 



Company D— Con. 
Lee, Georg'e T - . - . 
Leddy, Patrick, . . - 
Leonard, Andrew - . - 
Lock wood, John J. - 
Macomber, Enoch, - - - 
Macomber, Enoch, - - - 
McCarty, Jeremiah, 
McGee, John, - - - - 
McLean, George L. - 
McMahon, James, - - . 
Milan, Patrick, . - . 
Mitchell, Charles H. 
Mitchell, James D. - 
Muliii^^an, .James, . . - 
Mnrpliy, Philip, . - - 
Packer", William, - - - 
Paull, Albert M. • - - 
Peck, Marcus R. - - - 
Perry, George N. - - - 
Peyton, Charles A.- 
Pierce, Charles B. - - - 
Pratt, Pliineas M.- 
Raymond, Rufus, - 
Raymond, Levi S. - 
Reed, Henry E. - - - 
Rothwell, John, ... 
Ryan, James, - - - - 
Sanford, Joseph E. - 
Sanford, Joseph E.- 
Shaw, Frctlcrtck W. 
Sherman, Charles H. 
Sherman, James L.- 
Simmons, James N. - - 
Smith, Henry B. - - - 
Smith, John B. - . - 
Smith, William N. - 
Staples, Barzilla F. - 
Staples, John P. 
Telford John, - - - - 
Tnifron, Gc(iru-e R. - 
Walker, William E. 
Walker, AVilliam E. 
Whelan, Thomas J. 
Wilbur, Darius M.- 
Williams, Bildad, - 
Williams, Israel, - - - 
Wilson, Isaac S. - - - 
Willey, William, - 

Company E. 

Cook, John, 1st Sergt. - 
Fisher, William J., 1st Sergt. - 
Hopkins, Edward F., 1st Sergt. 
Bonuev, llenrv B., Sergt. 
Bonucv, Hemv B., Sergt. 
Hetherston, Martin C, Sergt. - 
Hetherston, Martin C, Sergt. - 
Kirl)ev, I'atrick T., Sergt. 
Kittredge, Henry G. W., Sergt. 



18 'June 15, 

19 15, 

24 15, 
18 15, 
23 15, 

25 Dec. 27, 

20 June 15, 



15, 

15, 

Aug. 29, 

June 15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

Nov. 10, 

June 15, 

15, 

Aug. 16, 

June 15, 

Aug. 13, 

13, 

June 1 5, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

Dec. 27, 

June 15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15. 

15, 

15, 

Aug. 12, 

June 15, 

15, 

Jan. 6, 

6, 

21, 

June 15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 



"61 Died May 4, '63, Fred'ksburg, Va. 

'61 Deserted Sept. 1, 1862. 

'61 Died Aug. 1 1,'62, Newp't News,Va. 

'61 Deserted Sept. I, 1862. 

'61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63iTransf. Apr. 8, 1804, to Navy. 

'61 Oct. 4, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Deserted Sept. 1, 1«62. 

■61 Nov. 18, 1861, disability. 

'61 Deserted Dec. 20, 1863. 

'61 Deserted Dec. 23. 1862. 

'61 Died Apr —, 1862, Taunton. r> 

'61 Deserted Sept. 17, 1863. 

'61 Died 1864, Andersonville. Ga. 

'61 Died May 6, '63, Fred'ksburg, Va.. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Desert*;d Dec. 20, 1862. 

'61 Deserted June — , 1863. 

'61 Died Sept. 23, '62, Newport News. 

'62 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Aug. 6, 1861, disability. 

'62 July 23, 1863, disability. 

'62 Jan. 2, 1864, disability. 

'61 Transf. Feb. 15, 1864," to V. R. C. 

'61 Deserted Dec. 20, 1862. 

'61 Deserteil Sept. 2, 1862. 

■61 Dec. 2(!, 1S()3, to re-enhst. 

'63 Died of wds., June 16,'64,Tauntonv 

•61 July 10, 1861. 

'61 June27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Aug. 6, 1861, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Died Sept. 27, 1862, Taunton. ^ 

'61 Deserted Apr. 1, 1864. 

'61 Aug. 14, 1861, disability. 

•62 Oct. 13, 1863, disaliility. 

'61 June 27, 1864, exi)iration of service. 

'61 Deserted Sept. 14, 1802. 

'62 Transf. June 15, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'62 Jan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

'64 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Deserted Dec. 20, 1862. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

■61 Deserted Dec. 20, 1862. 

'61 Deserted Sept. 19, 1862. 



June 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '6rSecond Lieut. May 4, 1863. 

15, '61 Secon<l Lieut. Sept. 24, 1862. 

15, '61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 
Dec. 27, 63 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
June 15, '61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 
Dec. 27, '63 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
Jimc 15, '61 Deserted Jan. 3, 1862. 
* 15, '61 1 Dec 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 



\ 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



265 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company E — Con. 
Kittrcdw, Ilcnrv G. W., Sergt. 
Packanl, Alhfrt S., Serftt. 
Rusjilcs, Frank S., Sergt. 
Crowell, Josiah C, Corp. 

EvvcU, Jol) L., Corp. • = 

Ewell, Jot) L., Corp. - - --- 
Fais, Clc()i)lia!<, Corp. 
Hopkins, Natiian F., Corp. 
Lord, James F., Corp. 
Lord, James F., Corp. 
Needbam, Henry S., Corp. 
Spiller, .James F., Corp. - 
Tliaver, George, Corp. 
Wriglit, Allen, Corj). 
Wright, Allen, Corp. 
Harding, James, Musieian, ' - 
Sehwinn, Charles F., Musician, 
Freiieh, Charles E., Wagoner, 
Bailey, Caleb E. - - - 
Barry, George H. - - - 
Barry, George H. - 
Bent, George, - - - - 
Blake, Charles, - 
Blake, Walter, - - - - 
Bole, William, - - . - 
Boston, John, - - - . 
Brown, David, - - - - 
Broad, Horace S. - - - 
Bilker, Edward K. - 
Burgess, All)ina H. - 
Burrows, Henrv H. - 
Cahoon, David H. - - - 
Casey, Dcnius, . . - 

Chandler, George S. 
Chamherlain, James, 
Church, David, 

Church, David, - - . 

Clarke, George, . . - 
Clarke, James, ... 

Cook, Peter, - . - . 
Crossley, Edmund, - 
Cross ley, George E. 
Crosslev, George E. - - 
Darby, William, 
Douglass, William, - 
Dunn, Charles, . . . 

Duniihy, James, ... 
Ewell, Samuel, 
Ewell, Thatcher, 
Fais, Andrew, .... 
Feenan, Hugh, 
Fisher, Herman, 
Flaherty, John, ... 
F'lahertv, John, 
Ford, John M. ... 

Goward, Albert V. - 
Griirixs, (Jcorge H. - 
Grover, John M. - 
Haggerty, John 



20 Dec. 27, '63 Transf. June 14, 18f?4, to 37th Inf. 

27 June 15, '61 Apr. 8, 1863, disaliility. 
25 I 15, '61 26, 1864, do 

35 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

^ I 15, •6liDec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

^UDec. 27, '63 Died t)f wounds June 5, 1864. _. 
22 June 15, '61 Jan. U), 18n4, disability. 

25 I 15, "61 June 27, l<S(i4,cx|iirati(')n of service. 
20 i 15, "61 Dec. 2(i, 18«;3, to rc-cnlist. 

22 !Dec. 27, '63/rransl-. June 14, 1S(14, to 37th Inf. 
40 [June 15, "61 June 27, 1864, exi)irati(>n of service. 
18 \ 15, '61 Feb. 12, 1863, di>aliility. 

28 15, '61 'June 27, 1864, expirati(in of service. 
18 Feb. 12, '62 Dee. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

20 Dec. 27, '63 Transf. Jnne 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
18 June 15, 'BUDeserted Feb. 3, 1862. 
20 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

34 15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

26 15, '61 27, 1864, do do 
24 15, '61 Jan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

26 iJan. 21, '64!Transf. June 14, 18()4, to 37th Inf. 

23 June 15, '61 Died Mar. 9, '62, Brightwood, D.C. 
'61 Nov. 8, 1862, disability. 
'61 June 27, 1S64, ex])iration of service. 
'61 Died (.f wounds Mav— , 1863. - 
61 June27, 1864,exp. ofserv.inCo. A. 



1 15 

15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Aug. 1, 
June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 

29 Dec. 27, 
20 June 15, 



15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Dec. 27, 



22 June 15, 
,19 
[22 

29 

I 25 
I 25 
^24 
1 20 

24 

30 

32 



15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Jan. 21, 
18 [Feb. 12, 
18 June 15, 



'61 Killed Mav 3, '63, Marie's Hts.,Va. 

'61 Sept. 15, 1863, disability. 

'61 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 Mar. 23, 1863, disability. 

'eiTransf. Sejit. 30, 1863, to V. R. C. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Deserted Jan. 28. 1863. 

'6 1 [June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'611 27, 1864, do do 

•61 [Dec. 26, 1863, tore-enlist. 

'63 Killed May 6, '64, Wilderness, Va. _ 

'61 June 27, bS64, expiratidii of service. 

'61 Mar. 22, 1^63, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-t^'ulist. 

'63 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

*61J)escrted July 3, 1861. 

'61 Deserted Seiit. 1, 1862, Worn Co. B. 

'61 June 27. 1S64, expiration of service. 

'61 Died Oct l,'61.Washin-t<.n,D.C. 

'61 Transf. Mar. 15, 1864, to V. R. C. 

•61 Dii.l Mar. 9, 1863, Falmouth, Va. .-. 

•61 Transl. N..y. 15, 1863, to V. R. C. 

'61 Trail sf. 1863, to V. R. C. 

'61 Jan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

'64 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

•62 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 Jan. 24. lt<65, expiration of service. 

•61 June 27, 1864, do do 

'61jOct. 15, 1862, disability. 

'eiDeserted Dee. 11, 1862. 



266 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company £— Con. 
Hatch, Ezra W. 
Hickey, Hugh, 
Hickey, Hugh, 
Hill, John O. - - - 
Hollis, Nathan S. - 
Houghton, William J. 
Ingles, Thomas, 
Joyce, Joseph, - . - 
Keegan, Stephen J. - 
Lacey, Thomas J.- 
Lewis, Jesse L. - - 
Lord, George F. - - 
Lycett, James, - - - 
Mahoney, Thomas, - 
Malloy, James, 
Manchester, William W. - 
Marsden, Thomas, - 
Mason, William A. - 
McElroy, George, - 
McGovern, Charles, - 
Mcintosh, George, - 
Merrill, Thomas, 
Morrow, Henry, 
Murphy, Dennis, 
Nightingale, James H. 
Nightingale, William H. - 
O'Connor, Patrick, - 
O'Connor, Patrick, - 
Piper, Elijah, - 
Randall, Ethan A. - 
Randall, Ethan A. - 
Rockwood, William O. V. 
Sampson, Japhet, 
Seavems, Alfred A. - 
Scaff, John, 
Schwinn, Lewis C. - 
Shei-man, Nathan, Jr. 
Sias, Sylvester, 
Stevens, Charles, 
Sulasky, Joseph, 
Thayer, Frederick, - 
Thayer, Josiah C. - 
Tisdale, William E. 
Tolman, Henry, 
Tolman, Henry, 
Tolman, William H. 
Weathee, Charles, - 
Weeman, Orin, 
Wheeler, George W. 
Wheeler, Sylvester, Jr. - 
Whitney, Jacob, 
Wild, Warren T. - 
Williams, Enos L.- 
Williamson, Seth, - 

Company F. 

Bancroft, David C, 1st Sergt. 
Byram, Joseph W., 1st Sergt. 
Dean, Charles F., 1st Sergt. 



June 15 

is: 

Dec. 27 
June 15 
15 
15 
Dec. 29 
June 15, 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 



23 Dec. 27 
June 15 
15 
Dec. 27 



22 June 15 

27 

21 

21 

22 

37 

18 

19 

21 

21 

28 



15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 

29 Aug. 27 
40 June 15 
42 Dec. 27 
19 Feb. 12 
29 June 15 



15 



15 
15 

Aug. 28 



35 Feb. 12 



'61 May 15,1865, Pres. proclamation. 

'61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 Acc'y shot Sep.21,'62,W'msp't,Md. .- 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'63 Transf. June 14, '64, to 37th Inf. 

'61 Sept. 8, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Mar. 17, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

•61 Oct. 12, 1863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

•61 27, 1864, do do 

•61 Deserted Jan. 28, 1863. 

'61 Killed May 6, '64, Wilderness, Va. 

•fil Deserted Aug. 21, 1862. 

'61 Nov. 12, 1861, disability. 

'61 Died May 10,'63, Washington, D.C.f^l 

'61 Deserted July 3, 1861. 

'61 Aug. 17, 1863, disability. 

'61 Nov. 22, 1862, disability. 

'61 22, 1862, do 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27,1864, do do 

'61 14, 1862, disability. 

'61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63|Transf. June 17, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 Died Mar. 3, '62, Brightwood, D.C. 

'61 Sept. 19, 1862, disability. 

'61 Transf. Nov. 6, 1863, to V. R. C. 

'61 Died Oct. 19, '62, Washington, D.C. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service, 

'61 Oct. 29, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'6l! 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Deserted June 28, 1861. 

'6ipeserted Aug. 21, 1862. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'6llMar. 11, 1862, disability. 

•61;Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

'63|Transf. Apr. 8, 1864, to Navy. 

'62 Nov. 8, 1862, disabilitv. 

'61 Died at Andersonville, Ga. 

'6l!Aug. 5, I861,disaliility. 

'61 Deserted Dec. 10, 1862. 

'6llDied Sept. 5, 1862, Annapolis, Md. 



Apr. 8, 1863, disability. 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

14, 1862, disability. 

14, 1862, do 



24 June 15, '61 Second Lieut. Dec. 2, 1861. 

24 I 15, '61' June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

26 15, '61 Killed May 3, '63, Marie's Hts., Va. 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



267 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company F— Con. 
Lee, Cliarlcs T., l>t Sorirt. 
Aklrii'li, Tli(.'u(l.)iv N., Sergt. ■ 
Caleliati, Josepli 1)., Serf,'t. 
Calehaii, Juseiih D., Seigt. 
Cuslnnan, Harrie A., Sergt. - 
Cushman, Harrie A., Sergt. • 
Elliott, Josepli, Sergt. - 
Elliott. Joseph, SiTgt. 
Hathaway. Charles B., Sergt. - 
Howarth, John, Sergt. 
Morton, (iideon E., Sergt. 
Walker, John H., Sergt. - 
Boyle, James, Corp. 
Bnrt, George B., Corp. - 
Cnnniiighani, Benj. F., Corp. - 
Davis, Franeis E., Corp. - 
Dean, David H., Corp. - 
Estes, William H., Corp. 
Hall, John W., Corp. 
Harmon, William H., Corp. - 
Maxhani, Lowill M., Corp. - 
Park, William, Corp. 
Wordell, Welister, Corp. - 
Bassett, (jreenleaf, Musieian, - 
Coe, Jerome W., Mnsician, - 
Diekens, Janies PL, Mnsieian, - 
Moulton, Henry D., Wagoner, 
Adshed, Levi A. - - - 
Angier, Samuel A.- 
Barton, Janies N. - 
Bartlett, John W. - 
Blaek, Alexander, - - - 
Bridges, Wesley, - - - 
Brown, John, - - - - 
Bnekley, John, . . . 
Burns, .Tames, . - - 
Burns, James, - - - - 
Caswell, Aliraliam H. - - 
Cash, Alvin, - - . . 
Chandler, Jaeoh, - . . 
Chaee, John C. - - - 

Cooper, James, 
Corlx'tt, Charles H.- 
Cornish, Etlmnnd, - . - 
Dean, Barney T. - - 
Douglass, Edwin E. - - 
Fames, Louis D.- 
Eddy, William L. - - - 
Elliott, Dunean S. - 
Field, Alliert, - . - - 
Foskett, George W. - 
Foulds, William H. - 
Franeis, Henry W. - 
Franeis, Leonard A. 
Franeis, Lueian E.- 
Gardner, Joseph M. - 
Gil)son, Setli, - . . - 
Gifford, Henry T. - 
Godfrey, Elijah A. - 



22 June L5, 'ei'Seeond Lieut. Dec. 7, 1862. 

20 1.5, 'fil June 27, 1S(!4, ex])iratioii of service. 

24 I \n, '61 Feb. 19, 1864, to re-enlist. 

26 Feb. 20, '64 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

16 June 15, '61|Dee. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

18 Dec. 27, '63 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

23 June Li, '6i;.Tan. 20, 1864, to re-enlist. 

25 Jan. 21, '64 Die.lof wds. Mav24,'64,Fred'ksb'g. 
18 June 15, '61 Seeond Lieut. May 4, 1863. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Killed Mav 3, '63, Marie's Hts.,Va. 

'61 Die. 1, 1S()2, disahilitv. 

•61 Deserted Scj)!. 18, 1862. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'6l|Aug.S, 1863, disability. 

'61 Sept. 10, 1861, do 

•61 Transf. Sept. 12, 1863, to V. R. C. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 18(i4, expiration of service. 

'61 Killed Mav 3, '63, Marie's Hts.,Va. 

'61 Aug 16. r863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1«64. ex|nration of service. 

•61 Died Sep. 10,'62, David's Isl'd.N.Y. 

'61 " 



15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
19 15, 

45 Aug. 18, 
24 June 15, 
34 1 15, 

24 1 15, 

25 ■ 15, 
27 IFeb. 20, 
21 June 15, 



15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 

33 Feb. 26, 
22 June 15, 



Sept. 10, 1861, disability. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Deserted Dee. 27, 1862. 
'61 Transf. Feb. 15, 1864, to V. R. C. 
"61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
•61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Mar. 22, 1862, disabilitv. 
'61 Died of wds. Mav,'63, Potomac Ck. 
'61 Killed Mav3, '(;3, Marie's Hts.,Va. 
'61 Died Oct. HI, '()•-', Ft. Monroe, Va. 
'61 Feb. I'J, 1S64, to re-enlist. 
'64 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
'61[Sept. 8, 1863, disability. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'6l|Dee. 28, 1863, disaltility. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expu'ation of service. 
'611 27, 1864, do do 

•62 Die.l -Vug. 5, '62, Hiirr. Land'g, Va. 
'61 Deserted Feb. 8, 1863. 
'61 Aug. 15, 1S61, disability. 
'61 June 27, 18()4, exiiiration of service. 
'eiJnlv 2t), l,S(i2, disabilitv. 
•61 Aug. 15, bS(il, disabilitV. 
'61 Transf. .Sept. 12, 18(>3, to V. R. C. 
'61 June 27, 18(54, expiration of service. 
•611 27, 1864, do do 

•61 Sept. 10, 1861, dit^ability. 
•61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
•61 Died Nov. 6, 1862, Philiulclp'a, Pa. 
'61 July 20, 1862, disability. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
'61 Killed Mav 3, '63, Marie's Hts.,Va. 
'61 Aug. 6, 1862, disabilitv. 
•61 Deserted Nov. 1, 1862. 



268 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Terminatiou of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company i^— Con. 
Godfrey, John F. - - - 
Gregory, Joseph G. - 
Groves, James, . - - 
Hall, Edward W.- 
Hall, Frederick, . . - 
Hancock, Joseph F. 
Haiiiiou, James, 
Hardv, Charles A. - - - 
Haskiiis, Albert M. - 
Hathaway, John F. - 
Hokleii, James, - . - 
Holt, John, - - - - 
Hunt, Thomas, . - - 
Knowles, Edward T. - - 
McAvoy, William H. - '- 
McCormiek, James. - - - 
Miller, Charles F. - - - 
Mullen, Thomas, 
Osborne, Levi, . . - 

Packer, William A. - 
Paine, Charles B. - - - 
Park, George H. - - - 
Peck, Charles H. - - - 
Peck, Charles H. - - - 
Percival, Charles L. - 
Peny, Nathaniel, . . - 
Pierce, Edward A. - 
Pray, Evander, - . - 
Pratt, Lloyd W., - 
Kicliniond, Samuel W. - 
Scviuonr, Edward D. - - 
.Shaw, ]<:verctt, 
Shaw, William, 

Nniith, Luther H. - - - 
Smith, William E.- 
Stevens, Hiram H. - 
Stowell, John W. - 
Stowell, William O.- 
Studley, George, - . - 
Thayer, Edwin S. - 
Thrasher, Henry, - . - 
Trickey, Edwin H.- 
Ward, James, - - - - 
Washburn, Everett, 
Wcstcott, Charles S. 
White, John, - - - - 
Whitcomb, William J. - 
Williams, Kdward, - 
William.-, Erastus F. 
Wiibams, Samuel K. 
AVillmr, Philo B. - - - 
Wordell, Seth, - - - - 
Wordell, Seth, - - . . 

Company G. 

Andrews, George W., 1st Sergt. 
Fecto, Philander W., 1st Sergt. 
BoHJdry, William W. C, Sergt. 
McGregor, Simon, Sergt. 



June 15, 
15, 
15, 
Feb. 27, 
June 15, 
15, 
Aug.'2G, 
June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
L5, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Feb. 27, 
June 15, 
Aixg. 25, 
June 15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 

20 Dec. 27, 
23 June 15, 



15 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15. 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Jan. 27, 

19 Nov. 27, 

20 June 15, 

24 I 15, 

25 'Jan. 29, 
23 I June 15, 
23 15, 
23 15, 
22 Oct. 24, 

26 June 15. 



15, 
15, 
_ Aug. 28, 
24 June 15, 
21 15, 

23 Dec. 27, 



June 15, '61 
15, '61 
15, '61 
15. "61 



Nov. 30, 1862, disability. 

Aug. 20, 1862, do 

D'dof wds. June 10,'63, Po.Cr.Hos 

Died Oct. 31, 'G2, Philadelphia, Pa. o 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
27, 1864, do do 

Mar. 9, 1864, disability. 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

Sept. 10, 1861, disability. 

Aug. 10, 1862, disability. 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

Jan. 16, 1863, disability. 

Deserted Nov. 1, 1862. 

June 27, liSdl, expiration of service. 

Sept. 1, 186'2, disability. 

Killed :May (i, '64, Wilderness, Va 

June 27, 1864, exi)iration of service. 

Dec. 1, lS6o, disability. 

Deserted Mav 1, 1862. 

Trausf. Sept. 1, 1863, to V. R. C. 

June 27, 1861, expiration of serAice. 

Jan. 16, 1863, disabilitv. 

Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
27, 1864, do do 

27, 1864, do do 

27, 1864, do do 

Killed May 3, '63, Marie's Hts., Va. — 

Aug. 15, 1861, disabilitv. 

Mar. 26, 1862, disability. 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

Mav 15,1865, Pres. proclamation. 

Died Nov. 28, '62, Philadelp'a, Pa. Ck 

Jan. 16, 1863, disabilitv. 

Transf. Jan. 14, 1864, to V. 11. C. 

Tr. Junel4,'64,to37tli Inf. fr. Co.D. 

June 27, 1864, exi)iration of service. 

Trausf. Sept- 12, 1863, to V. R. C. 

Trausf. June 14, '64, to 37th Inf. 

Nov. 15, 1861, disability. 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

Deserted Si^pt. 18, 1862. 

Deserted Jnlv 1, 1863. 

Auu-. {), 1S62, (lisaliilitv. 

Killed June 2.-|, '(>2, Fair Oaks,Va. r — 

Died ,Mar. 2l),'(i2, Washington, D.C. 

June 27, 186i.exiiiratiou of service. 

Nov. 15, 1861, di.-al)ility. 

June 27, 1864. exjiiration of service. 

Died Mar. 18, '62, Wash'gton, D.C. O 

Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

Transf. Mar. — , 1864, to Navy. 



Second Lieut. Aug. 11, 1862. 
June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

27. 1864, do do 

Q. M. Sergt. Apr. 24, 1863. 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



269 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company G — Con. 
Newman, James S., Sergt. 
Wells, Freeman E., Sergt. 
Wilbur, Edwin F., Sergt. 
Healey, Frederick E., Corp. - 
Howard, Samuel F., Corp. 
McCullough, James, Corp. 
Roach, Jacob, Corp. 
Wallace, Martin R., Corp. 
Humplney, James A., ^lusician 
Packard, Francis S.. Musician, 
Sagcr, George, Musician, 
Sager, George, Musician, 
Wells, James, Wagoner, - 
Birmingham, Michael, 
Bowen, George, . . - 
Burt, Eustis E., 
Carnes, Paul, - - - - 
Cassidy, Thomas, . - - 
Clark, Horace M. - 
Cooks, Joseph, - - . 

Dallery, George, - - - 
Dean, John B. - 
Bollard, Garrett, - 
Donovan, Daniel, - - - 
Dunl)ar, Norman L. 
Dunbar, Seth T. - - - 
Eldredge, Charles H. 
Eldredge, Jason F. - 
Fadden, James, . - . 
Fav, Philip, . . - - 
Field, Shepherd, 
Fisher, Billings, 
Flaherty, Mattliew T. 
Freeman, Cvrus A. - 
Galla-her, James P. 
George, Charles W. 
Gilmore, Samuel H. - - 
Griffin, John, - - - - 
Griffin, Thomas, 
Hall, Lorenzo, - - - - 
Hamilton, Alonzo, - - - 
Hevers, Thomas, 
Higgins, Russell S. - 
Holbrook, Caleb R. - 
Horr, George L. - - - 
Horton, Oliver J.- 
Hudson, Edward, - 
Hudson, Samuel, - - - 
Hunt, Albert C. - - - 
Johnson, John, - - - 
Jones, Morgan, . - - 
Kcenaii, James H. - - 
Lane, William H. - - - 
Leach, Edward B. 
LeBarron, Otis D. - - - 
Leddingham, George A.- 
Lester, Henry M. - 
Lincoln, Albert A.- 
Locke, Parmenas, - 



June 15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

Aug. 28, 

June 15, 

15, 

Nov. 14, 

Feb. 19, 

June 15, 

15, 

16, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

Aug. 26, 

June 15, 

15, 

15, 

Sept. 4, 

June 15, 



27 


15, 


32 


15, 


30 


15, 


23 


15, 


29 


15, 


43 


15, 


19 


15; 


17 


15, 


31 


15, 


2fi 


15, 


20 


15, 


21 


15, 


38 


15, 


42 


Jnly 8, 


18 


June 15, 


33 


15, 


34 


15, 


22 


15, 


31 


15, 


25 


Aug. 28, 


19 


June 15, 


18 


15, 


34 


15, 


37 Jan. 4, 


38 June 15, 


19 


15, 


22 


15, 


21 


15. 


20 July 11, 


41 Aug. 24, 


22 June 15, 


23 15, 


32 


15, 



'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 27, 18(9t, do do 

'61 15, 1864, do do 

'61 Transf. Mar. 15, 1864, to V. R. C. 

'61 Died of wds. Mnvl5,'64,Fred'ksb'g. 

'61 Killed Mav 6, '64, Wilderness, Va. 

•61 TraH>f. N..'v. 15, 1863, to V. R. C. 

'61 Died Sept. 30, '62, Alexandria, Va. 

'61 Deserted Jul V 18, 1861. 

'61iFeb. 18, 1864, to re-enlist. 

'64 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 Jan. 3, 1863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Nov. 16, 1863, order War Dept. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Jan. 12, 1862, disability. 

'6l!Aug. 6, 1861, disability. 

'61 Died Apr. 23, 1864, Andersonville. 

'61 Mar. 18, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Killed Mav 6, '64,AVilderness, Va. 

•61 Nov. 14, 1863, disability. 

'61 Killed June 12,'64,Cold Harbor, Va. 

'61 Hospital Steward, Mar. 1, 1863. 

'61 Died Aug. 27, 1862. Q 

'61 Jan. 16, 1863, disability. 

'61 Deserted June 20, 1861. 

'61 Deserted Jan. 17, 1863. 

'61 June 27, 1864, ex])iration of service. 

'61 Feb. 19, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Jan. 16, 1863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, exjjiration of service. 

'61 Died Jan. 4, 1863, Easton. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Jan. 3, 1863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

61 Deserted Sept. 1, 1862. 

'61 Aug. 6, 1861, disability. 

'6l!Desertcd Apr. 25, 1863. 

61:Desertcd May 4, 1864. 

'6r June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

•611)cscrtcd Dec. 11, 1862. 

'61 Died Jan 24, '62, Kriglitwood, D.C. 

"61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 25, 1861, disability. 

'64 Transf. June U, 18(i4, to 37th Inf. 

'61 INIar. 26, 1862, disability. 

'6l'Jnne 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Deserted Dec. 11, 1862. 

'61 Deserted Nov. 20, 1863. 

'61|DiedSept. 17,'62, Philadelphia, Pa. 

6! Apr. 25, 1863, disability 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Deserted Dec. 11, 1862. 

'6l|June27, 1864, expiration of service. 



270 SEVESm MABSACHCSETTS VOLLMtEE LSTATTTET. 



SAME JLSTD EASK. 



DxtCr 

«rM*et€r. 



TfcfTiiiiiiinon of Sferricfc jmd 



XkMM, 



Lodnip,Ch! 

v«.wg— Tfirfcif 1, 






Tcuum, 



IQIa, Charles E. • 
Hnphf , Geofse M. 
3inpltf,J^BWs, - 
Mvpkr.loMsH.,. 
OqMM,Ckatka, - 
O-Bonke. Wiffiaa, 
FadunL Elqife B. • 
Padcnd, wgfiam H. 
Padtaid, ^nnkm W. 
FMc^d^arfecE. 
Peek, Haarr W. 
PUn^M, AMpb W. . 
Phil^, Howwd IT. 
PhiO^, Ocnnzd W. 
QBiMi, Chatk*. 
.Thanac, 
■.Dniel, - 
-- ~^b»P.- 
dmP. • 
BefMAb, ioee^ - 
Booaer^ Midnel, . 
Bal»r, Uanid, - - 



SoKddj, 3Ionff , - 
Sodddr, THomac, - 
Sink?-, Georae R. • 
SteBPks, WUKam H. 
Sn&ooki, Chsaie*. • 
SalUran, Patrick, - 
Sveet, Alaiiw^ E. - 

Tll(9H(UMyTi. Dariri, - 
7 .-- ^ T'wiH. - 

-•-;*.S, - 

4X» h. - 
■-\ K. - 

V,-„.^;;,., ^i^rl^ E. 

■WV>lwar'J, HKtiry h. 
Yoony, WiJJLarij, ' - 
Yoan^, WjJliaax, 



- 39 JnKU,'«lPeh.l8,ia^tDie-eo]iEt. 

- 41 Fdi. 19, '^Tnn^C Jane 14, 1854, to 37th Inf. 

- 33 Jnnels, ^lJa]ie37,ia&4,expiiatioaof eerrioe. 
•29 la. "SI 27,1864. do do 

- 39 15, '61 27,1894, do do 
-22 U, ^ 27,1854, do do 

- 27 15, '61Dec30, 1862,difisbilitT. 

- 19 15, i61Jitne27,1854,exiHnti6nofea-vice. 

- 32 15,161 27,1864, do do 

- 20 15, '61 27,1864, do do 

- 25 L5, 61 Deiened June S, 1861. 

- 'X 15, 6lJxwt27,lB6L,ex^atkm(fCBernce. 

- 18 15, 61 I>e«rt«? May 4, !%64, 

- 18 15,'"' ' - l*" '"' - -sTionofeerrice. 

- 43 L5, ' toT.E. C. 

- 19 15, * 4. 

- 21 L% >: ...WarDept. 

- 21 15, '- r ;i.i», 1861. 

- 40 15, ' . . ;. dkaffllitv. 

- 32 Aag.2&, ' • 10, 1852,' 

- 18 jTii»el.5, ' .11,1862. 

-29 L% ''^^ -" r. expiration of §«-rk*. 

- 45 1.0, "^ ;iKit/ilitv. 

- 22 !.!»,'■ -^xpiratk/noff«Titt. 

- 25 15, ''' ; - Wj re-enlbt. 

- 27 Jan. 21, '■ . 14, ISm, to .37th Inf. 

- 21 Jur*e 15, ' 3, 1862. 

- 22 \Tj, - dLsaf^Jity. 

- -% !•% '• ..'rxpiratk/n of sen-ice. 

- 19 L^, '•>! . i :.. . . :. - >yT, trj re'tmlist. 

- 21 Majr. 18, '64 \>^f*iTVc'i Juut 3, 1864. 

- 36 Jane 15, '61 \y-^roA Jalv 3, 1863. 

- 21 L5. '61 I>r~<;m«l fX-t. 10, 1862. 

- 2fJ 15, '61 iKristTtftd Sept. 5, 1862. 

- 19 1.5, '61 V^.f^TUii Dec. 3. 1862. 

- 18 15, '61 Atur. 6, 1861, dissaJniity. 

- 26 Vj, '01 iam 27. 1864. expiratif>n c^f hervioe. 

- 27 Jan. 18, '64Tnirjf.f. Juri«; 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

- 22 Joofc 15, '61 Jan* 27, 1864, txpirati^/n of Mrniw;. 

- 24 July 1, '61 .Sept. 22, 1862, di>ability. 

- 19 ' 11, '61 Juri'-27, 1864,expinitiirniof «Tvice. 

- 19 June 15, 61 JM^r^rUfl June 2.v, 1801. 

- 22 Lv, '61 Jurie27, 1864, expiratK.»nof (sen'ice. 

- 20 15, '61 'Inmr. Sejn. m, 1863, trj V. K. C. 

- 22 15, '61 June 27, 18^}4, exj/irati/jn of henioe. 

- 19 15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

- 31 15, '61 I>ied Amr, 17, 1864, Anderwinville.^ 

- 18 ' V), '6! Nw. 'iifJ, 1862, diwibility. ' 

- 19 L5, '61 Jurje27, 1864, expirati'mof feerrice. 

- 215 15, '61 I>;M:Tterl June 20, IVil. 

- 18 L5, '61 I>i«5<l June 14, 18fi2, Baltimore, Md. 

- 28 L5, '61 Jan. 20, 1864, Uj re.<fiili*t. 

- '40 Jan. 21, 'OiTnuikf. Apr. L5, 1864, t»j Navy. 



0*rripany H. 

' ' ' E., Ut Ser;rt. • 
.-, 1ft Sergt. ' 
m H., l»t Hmti^ 



30 Jan*U5, '61 S«;r//nd Li»fut. Jan. 17, 1863. 

27 15 '61 .S<-/yni'J Lieut. .N'ov. 7, 1861. 

25 15, '61 .June 27, 18^>4, expirati/ni of wn-viw.-. 

32 15, '61JFe>A 19, 1863, diteaWiUy. 



BOSTEE OF THE REGEMENT. 



71 



XAME A>-D RAXK. 



Due 
of Mooter. 



TermuAQOB «f S«rrKi^ a»d 



Company H— Con. 
Hill, Majon A.. Senn. - 
Knowles, Charles W., Ser^. - 
Thompson. "VTilliam J., Scrst. 
Tillson, Albert A., Senrt. 
"Wood, Simeon S., Serat. 
Wright, Henry B., Sergt. 
Anstin, Sanfonl B.. Corp. 
G rover, Vernon F., Corp. 
Hull, John G., Corp. 
Kerr, William, Corp. 
KittnHl, AUiort S., CorjL - 
Kittn?ll. Jame* P.. Coq>. - 
Lawton, Horatio M.. Corp. 
Shepard, George H., Corp. 
Steams. Henry W., Corp. 
Vallett, Alexander P., Cori>. - 
Williams, Josiah, Corp. - 
Frazier, William F., Musician, 
CalKtt, Fn.Meriok H., Wagoner, 
Adams, William F. - 
Atwixtd. William H. 
Belcher. Charles W. 
Biggs. John, - - - - 
Birchani, Isaj\c R. - 
Blanchanl, James, - 
Blanchard, John, - - - 
Bniwn, Levi, . . . - 
Cluulwick, John A. - 
Col.b, Alanson W. - 
Cobb, William A. M. 
Colby, John S. - 
Coleman, William, - 
Cook, Gei>rge S. - - - 
Downing, John, 
Eacjin, MichiuM, 
Fisher, John W. - 
Foster, William B. - 
Fox, Ji>hn, . . . - 
Gallagher, Edwan.1, - 
Gammons, Ssuifoixl B. 
Georw, Thoma.-i M., Jr. - 
Gerri'sh, Daniel B. - 
Gerrish, John B. • - - 
Gotr, Joseph B. - - . 
GiHH-h, Siimucl H. - 
Gorman, John, - . - 

{in»v, William, . . - 

Hall, F.dwaiil F. - - - 
Havwnnl. AllKit M. 
Hoika-s, Fi-ank II. - 
Holmes, Aloni5.> V. - 
IliiwanI, F.vcrett F. 
Hunt, (icorgc C. - - - 
llunnowell. TIuhhIoitH. - 
Idc, (uorge II. ... 

Ingalls, Klhiinan, • 
Keenan, .Vlanson C. « • 
King, Uiclmixl H. - 
Lamb, Heiirv, - - . - 



Jnihf 15, 
15, 
15. 
15. 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15. 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15. 
15, 
15. 
15, 
15. 
15. 
15. 
15. 
15. 
15. 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15. 
15, 
15. 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15. 
15. 
15. 
15, 
15. 
15. 
15, 



•61 Killed May S, "W. SpoctsylVi, T*. 
61 June 27. 1*4. expiration of servioe, 
^I 27. 1864. do do 

"61 Sevx>nd Lieut. July 12, lSe2. 
"61 June 27, 1S64. estpiration of serriow. 



37. 1S64. 

r. 1*4. 

r. 1864. 

r. is^. 



do 



Feb. 17. 

Aug. i;$. 

June 15, 

15, 

15, 

15. 

15. 

Aug. ;h), 

June l.'i, 

15. 

Mar. 4, 

June l.*>, 

l.\ 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 



"61 Nor. 27, 1!«2, disahiliiv. 

"61 -\pr. 7. 1S63. do 

•61 Sept. -29, 1863. do 

•61 Transf. Mar. -23, 1S»4. to V. R. C. 

"61 June 27. 1 *4. expiration of s<>rvic«. 

•HI -27. 18<>4. do do 

'61 Mar. IS. 1S62. disabihir. 

"61 Transf. Sept. 1. 1*3, to V. R. C. 

'61 Deserted Apr. 26. 1*4. 

■61 Nov. 12, 1861. disabilitr. 

"61 AuiT. -27. 1862. do 

'61 Dec. '23. 18^. do 

'61 Desertevi Feb, 27. 1863. 

"61 Nov. 21. 1862. disability. 

"61 Jnne 27. 1864. expir^ti^Hi of service. 

'61 Dieiiof »-vls. May2o."63.Wash'gtv>n. --^ 

"61 June "27, 1*4. expiration of st>rvioe. 

'61 -27.1864. do do 

"61 '27. 18*Vt. do do 

"61 Dieii IXv 31. '6;?.W!»shimrt»Mi. D.C..T 

•61 TtHusf. Jan. 27. '63. to Y. R. C. ^ 

"61 June "27. 1*4, expiration of service. 

"61 -27. 1864. do do 

"61 Sept. 24. 1*2. disabilit>-. 

'61 June 27. 1864.expiration of service. 

"61 27. 1864. do do 

"61 Transf. Sept. A>. 186;?. tv> V. R. C. 

'61 June "27. 1*4. expiration of serviiv. 

"61 Ti-ansf. Jan. lo. 18*H. ti> V. K. C. 

"61 June 27. 1864. expiration of servi^v. 

"61 -27. 1*4. do do 

"62 CVt. 7. 186;?. disjibility. 

"62 June *27, 1864, expiratioti of ser*i».v. 

61 lV>crtv\l July I. 1*1. 

"61 June 27. 1864. expiration of servi^w 
"61 Feb. 18, 1*2, disability. 
"61 June 27, 1864, expiration of scrvi^v. 
'61 Transf. S<<pt. a;\ ISrtf. to V. R. C. 

62 June 27, 18(>4, o\piratit>n of service. 
"61 •2i\ l*l,.lis;>bilitv. 

'61 Oct. I, 1*2. dis.-»l>ility. 

■(^2 Ti-sinsf. June 14. K**. K>37th Int". 

'tU June 27, l*>4,expiratio>» of service. 

61 27. 1*4. do do 

'61 IVscrtiHl Dtv. 12. 1*2. 

61 De.sertiHl IVc. 12. I8»y. 

"61 June 27, 18^^, expiration of servii<e. 

"61 Nov. 12, 1861, disabilitv. 

•61 Deserteil IKv. 8. KSeS." 



272 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 

of Muster. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company H — Con. 

Lord, Frost, - - - - 24 

Martin, Hiram L. - - - 18 

Martin, John W. - - - 19 

Martin, William, - - - 21 

McCnusland, William, - - 19 

McCourt, Barney, - - • - 33 

McDonald, Edward, - - 31 

McGi'f, Andrew, - . - 34 

McGinnis, Patrick, - - - 37 

Melvin, llcnrv D. - - 22 

Mor.sc, Charles A. - - - 20 

Morse, Stillnian F. - - - 24 

O'Malley, Owen, ... 36 

Palmer, James S. - - - 22 

Patten, William H. - - - 21 

Pike, Chandler J. - - - 24 

Prime, James, - - - - 22 

Reed, Hiram B. - - - 22 

Reeves, John, - - - - 33 

Richardson, Charles D. - - 18 

Robinson, Charles A. - - 30 

Rose, Francis, - - - - 26 

Rounds, Enon H. - - - 22 

Seagraves, Charles, - - . 26 

Shaw, Nathan M. - - - 20 

Shepardson, Erastus, - - 18 

Shields, Timothy, - - - 29 

Slattery, Dennis, . - - - 18 

Smith, Adolphus P. - - 24 

Smith, Jesse W. - - - 17 

Smith, Philip, - - - . 18 

Stephenson, Joseph, - - 27 

Sweet, Benjamin F. - - - 18 

Sweet, George L. - - - 18 

Tobit, John L. - - - - 19 

Wigii-ins, James F. - - - 22 

Willanl, Elier, - - - - 20 

Williams, Albert, - - - 22 

Williams, Charles F. - - 18 

Williams, Otis, ... 23 

Wink, Frank, - - - - 20 

Wink, Frederick, - - - 26 

Wetherell, Sumner H. - - ! 21 

Wood, Benjamin F. - - - 19 

Company I. 

Giles, Isaac F., 1st Sergt. - 25 

Hall, John N., 1st Sergt. - 25 

Hill, William H., 1st Sergt. - 22 

Saverv, Alirahani B., 1st Sergt. 24 

Wade, William H., 1st Sergt. - 21 

Whiting, Prentiss M., 1st Sergt. 24 

Bliss, Harlan P., Sergt. - - 21 

Fails, Charles, Sergt. - - 34 
Gay, Samuel F., Sergt. - 
Richards, Baylies B., Sergt. 
Snell, Charles W., Sergt. 

Swett, Thomas C, Sergt. - 33 

Wilkinson, John F., Sergt. - 26 



June 15, '6rMar. 30, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 Dropped from rolls April 26, 1864.. 

15, '61 July 20, 186-2, disability. 

15, '61 Juire 27, 1864, expii-ation of service. 

15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

15, '61 15, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 Died Oct. 30, 1862, Taunton, q 
Aug. 26, 62 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
June 15, '61 Deserted Feb. 17, 1863. 

15, '61 Died Apr. 18, '63, Falmouth, Va. O 

15, '61 Died Mar. 10, '63, Foxborough. <j 

15, '61 Killed May 3, '63, Marie's Hts.,Vac 

15, '6l' June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '6i;Dec. 15, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, ixpiratidu of service. 

15, YillDec. 3, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
Feb. 22, '62 15, 1862, disability. 

June 15, '61 Jan. 17, 1863, disability. 

15, '61 Dec. 5, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 Deserted Dec. 12, 1862. 

15, '61 Oct. 2, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

15, -61 27, 1864, do do 

15, '61 Mar. 18, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 June 25, 1861, disability. 

15, '61 Deserted Apr. 26, 1864. 

15, '61 Dec. 5, 1862, disability. 

15, '61 Deserted Feb. 7, 1«63. 

15, '61 Feb. 21, 1863, disability. 

15, '61 Deserted Oct. 8, 1863. 

15, '61 Sept. — , 1862, disability. 

15, '61 Jan. 4, 1863, do 

15, '6llJune27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '6l'Killed May 3, '63, Marie's Hts.,Va.- 

15, '6l'Mar. 5, 1863, disability. 
Aug. 8, '62' June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
June 15, '611Mar. 16, 1863, disability. 

15, '6rDeserted Feb. 7, 1863. 

15, '61, Deserted Oct. 1, 1862. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 27, 1864, do do 



June 15, '61 Second Lieut. May 8, 1863. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 Diedof wds. May 7,'64, Wilderness. 

15, '61 Died Dec. 16, '63, Brandy Sta'n,Va. Q 

15, '61 Second Lieut. Oct. 25, 1862. 

15, '61 Second Lieut. Sept. 2, 1861. 

15, '61 June 27, 1364, expiration of service. 

15, '61 Sept. 28, 1862, di.sdiility. 

15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, 'eUDied Oct. 4, '62, David's Isl'd, N.Y. O 

15, "61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

15, '61 Principal Musician, Jan. 18, 1863. 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



273 



NAME AND RANK. 



Company /—Con. 
All)r(), Alden H., Corp. - 
Carju'iiter, Williain F., Corp. - 
Clatiin, Albert F., Corp. - 
Hayward, Henry L., Corp. 
Jillson, George L., Corp. - 
Keitli, Bartlett A., Corp. - 
'~Tidjre, Lorenzo F., Corp. - 
Rollins, (ieoru'e \X ., Corp. 
Seevy, Ivlwani, Corp. 
Thonijison, Sanmcl, Corp. 
Bnrliiiuainc, Jus. H., Mnsician, 
Kin^>li'v,\\'illi;nn II., Mnsician, 
Stanley,' Frank, Mnsieian, 
Dav, James M., Wagoner, 
Bislio]), William W. 
Blamlinir, Joseph E. 
Bliss, Samnel P. 
Bragg, Charles W. - 
Christv, George A. - 
Cohl), llenrv N. 
Cole, Henrv W. 
Cole, John, 
Cole, William A. - 
Collins, Josei)h, 
Corey, Alexander, - 
Cuniniings, Osear B. 
Daveniwrt, Benjamin F. - 
Daveni)ort, Henry P. 
Dav, James, Jr. 
Dean, David S. 
Dean, Edward N. - 
Donnell, William P. 
Doran, John B. 
Draper, Ilalsev W. - 
Drake, Lowell A. - 
Dnnbar, Henrv G. - 
Dnnham, William E. 
Emerson, Nathaniel, 
Farrell, Andrew, 
Fisher, Charles E. - 
Fisher, Ezra A. 
Flanagan, Liinrenec, 
Follett, George IL - 
Frawley, Henry, 
French, Herbert N. - 
Goti; Gilbert A. 
Gottsehalk, Frederick, - 
Gratt; Henry, - 
Grelin, Ilemv, - - - 
Gretin, Peter's., 
Hall, Arthnr C. 
Hall, Willard E. - 
Heekman, Louis, 
Hemmeinvay, D. Gardner, 
Jaek, John, ... 
Jewett, John E. 
Keats, Alfred L 
Keene, Briggs O. - - 
Kelley, Ensign E. - 



Date 
of Muster. 



June 15, 
lo, 



If) 
If), 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Aug. 24, 
19 June 15, 

18 15, 
21 15, 

19 ! 15, 
28 'Aug. 24, 
27 June 15, 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

27, 1864, do do 

27, 1864, do do 

27, 1864, do do 

27. 1864, do do 

Died June! 3,'63, Washington, D.C. fit. e 
June 27, 1864, expiration of service. ^^^"^'^^ 



'61 

'61 

'61 

•61 

'61 

'61 

61 

■61 27, 1864, " do do 

'61 Transf. Sei.t. 17, 1863, to V. R. C. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of .service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 June 14, 1862, disability. 



July 20, 1862, disaiiility. 

June 27, 1864, exi)iratiun of service. 

An?. 15, 1861, disabilitv. 

Died of wounds Sept. 12, 1862. 

June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

27, 1864, do do 

Nov. 16, 1863, order War Dept. 



15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
1^ 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
1.5, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
Feb. 11, 
June 15, 



'61 

'61 

'61 

'61 

'61 

'61 

'61 

'61 June 27, 1864, exi>iration of service. 

'61 Oct. 15, 1HH2, disalpilitv. 

'61 Deserted Oct. 10, 1862. 

'61 Mar. 4, 18(i3, disaliility. 

'61 Aug. 23, 1864, expiratio'n of service. 

'61 Transf. Feb. l."), 1804, to V. R. C. 

'61 June 27, 1864, cxiiiratiun of service. 

'61 Aug. 5, 1861,(lisaliilitv. 

'61 Died Feb. 22,'62,Camp Brightwood. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Miir. 26,'65, ex. of ser. ex. pr. of war 

'61 Sergt. Major, 1862. 

'61 Feb. 17, 1863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, exi)iration of service. 

'61 Mar. 18, 1862, disabilitv. 

'61 Sept. 19, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Sept. 26, 1863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Feb. 18, 1862, disabilitv. 

'61 Deserted Apr. 29, 1864. 

'61 Jinie 27, 1864, exiiiration of service. 

'61 Aug. 10, 1861, disability. 

'61 June 27, 18()4,exi)iration of service. 

'61 Aug. .■), lS6l,di,sibilitv. 

•61 Ajir. 21, 1863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Dcscrnd Ai)r. 27, 1864. 

•61 Deserted Dec. 11, 1863. 

'61 Sept. 13, lS(;i, disability. 

•61 I)e.>-erted Nov. 3, 1862. 

'61 June 27, 18(i4, exjjiration of service. 

'61' 27,1864, do do 

'61 Deserted June 18, 1862. 

'61 June 27, lS64,exi)iratiou of service. 

'61 27, 18<)4, do do 

'62 Transf. June 14, 18(>4, to 37th Inf. 

'61 Oct. 15, 1862, disabilitv. 



17 



274 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Date 
of Master. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company /^Con. 

Kiff, Marcu.» R. - - - 

Kralie, Hennann G. - - 

Llufrio, WacLin^ton B. - 

Lou<rh]in, Bernard, - - - 

Lyon, Ezra, . . . - 

Ma.«on, Jaiues, - . - - 

Mc:>Jamte, .Jos-eph, - - - 

Moulton, Royal AV. - - - 

Nel.-on, Edward, . . - 

Paige, John E. - - - 

Peacock, John D. - - - 
Percy, Charles HA. 

Perry, Jarne.s N. - - - 

Perry, James N. - - - 
Remlinger, William, 

Richards, Andrew J. - - 

Ricliardson, William A. - 

Ross, Samuel J. - - - 

Shannon, Dennis, - . - 

Smith, John N. - - - 
Stanley, Artemas W. 
Svlvester, Elx,-n L. - 

Terrill, Charles F. - - - 

Thayer, John J. - - - 
Thompson, James W. 
Tillson, IchatxKl A. - 

Tisdale, Frank H. - - - 

Ti.'-rlale, James B. - - - 

Watson, Henderson H. - 

Whalev, John A. - - - 
White," Henrr M. - 

Wilson, Alljert G. - - - 
Willis, George H. - 

Company K. 

Gumey, William H., 1st Sergt. 
Porter, Calvin, 1st Sergt. - 
Alden, Eleazer C, Sergt. - 
Bain, Edward M., Sergt. - 
Bislxft, Wright, Sergt. - 
Bosworth, John C, Sergt. 
Brown, William H., Sergt. 
Foster, Samuel H., Sergt. 
Hill, Isaac F., Sergt. 
Hutchinson, Benjamin F., Corp. 
Hutchinson, Nelson V., Corjj. 
Leach, John A., Corjj. 
Litchfield, William, Corp. 
Noyes, Luke B., Jr., Corp. 
Penniman, James M., Corp. 
Raymond, Hansel L., Corp. - 
Sherman, Thomas B., Corp. - 
Sherman, Thomas B., Corp. - 
Sylvester, Edward H., Corp. - 
Winslow, Joshua F., Corp. 
Woodsum, EiK'n, Cor^j. - 
Hohart, Ell>ert F., Musician, - 
Hutchinson, Edward D., Mus'n, 
Cole, Levi, Jr., Wagoner, 



'61 Deserted Apr. 27, 1864. 

'61 Deserted Dec. 11, 1862. 

'61 Aug. 22, 1862, disahilitv. 

'61 Tran^f. June 1, 1863, to V. R. C. 

'61 Mar. 27, 186-3, insanity. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 1 27, 1864, do do 

'61 ! 27, 1864, do do 

'6rAug. 5, 1861, disabilitv. 

'61 Transf. June 1 , 1863, to Y. R. C. 

'61 Killed Mav h, '64, Wilderness, Va. -^ 

'61 Deserted Oct. 10, 1862. 

'61 .Jan. 21, 1864, to re-enlist. ^ , a 

'64 Transf. June 14, 18&4, to 37th Inf. ^ -' 

'61 Died Apr. 20, '63, Falmouth, Va. ^ 

'61 Julv 20, 1862, disability-. 

'61 Deserted Sept. 1, 1862. 

'62 Apr. 28, 1862, disabilitv. 

•61 Oct. 27, 1862, disability. 

•61 9, 1862, disabilitv. 

•61 Died Oct. 7, '62, Cranev Isl'd,N.Y. r\ 

•61 Sept. 13, 1861, disaljilitv. ^ 

'61 Died of wds. Dec.l6,'62,Fred'k6b'g 

'61 Dec. 29, 1863, disabilitv. 
'61Q.M. Sergt. 1861. 
'62 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Died of wds. Mavll,'63,Wash'gton 

'61 Nov. 16, 18fi3, order War Dept. 

61 Oct. 7, 1863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

•61 Mar. 18. 1863, disaliility. 

'61 Died Julv 8, 1862, N. Bridgewater. 



'61 Second Lieut. July 15, 1861. 

'6rJune27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'6ll 27, 1864, do do 

'6l| 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Second Lieut. Julv 21, 1862. 

'61 Second Lieut. Mar. 26, 1863. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of ser»-ice. 

'61 14, 1864, do do 

•61 Com. Sergt. Oct. 20, 1862. 

'61 Died Sept. 1, "62, Cranev Isl'd, Va. O 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

01 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 June 27, 1864, ex])iration of service. 

'61 Sergt. Major, Nov. 1, 1862. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 
1.5, '61 Nov. 18, 1»61, disatjilitv. 
15, '61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 
Dec. 27, '63 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
June 15, '61 June 15, 1864, exjiiration of service. 
15, '61 Feb. 23, 18fi3, disability. 
15, '61 June 27, 1»64, expiration of service. 
15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

15, '61 Mar. 17, 1862, disability. 
1.5, '61 June 27, 1864,expiration of service. 



26 June 15. ' 


27 1 


15,' 


37 


15,' 


29 


1.5,' 


20 


15,' 


21 


1.5,' 


21 1 


15, • 


24 


15,' 


22 


15,' 


35 


15, 


37 


1.5, 


31 


1.5, 


20 


15, 


22 


Jan. 22, 


28 


June 15, 


35 


15, 


22 


1.5, 


18 


Mar. 3, 


30 


June 15, 


47 


15, 


18 


15, 


25 


1.5, 


19 


15, 


30 


15, 


;27 


15, 


22 


Feb. 19, 


18 


June 15, 


27 


15 


22 


1.5, 


26 


15, 


21 


1.5, 


29 


Aug. 27, 


18 


June 15, 


32 


June 15, 


i26 


15, 


120 


15, 


27 


1.5, 


26 


15, 


35 


15, 


|39 


15; 


'25 


1.5, 


27 


15, 


. 37 


15, 


18 


1.5, 


37 


Aug. 24, 


19 


June 15, 


24 


1 15, 


1 1^ 


15, 



ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT. 



275 



NAME AND RANK. 



« Date 
<! of Muster. 



Terniiuation of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company K^Con. 
AKlen, Georicc C. 
AmcH, Marcus F. 
Bailev, Thomas T. - 
Bates, James C. 
Boob.', Honrv W. - 
Bouldry, John li. - 
Bradley, James F. - 
Brown, Joseph AV. - 
Cliamliorhiin, Isaae, - 
Chambers, Jolm L. - 
Churehill, Walter F. 
Ckpp, Charles \V. - 
Cole, Onnnn M. 
Consuline.Micliael, - 
Cook. Fmlerielv, - 
Cook, (ioor-e \V. - 
Cook, 'riK.mas II. - 
Cook, William A. - 
Corthell, Sa"iniiel N. 
Crane, Joseph F. - 
Darv, Albert W. - 
DariiniT, Charles, - 
Dunbar, Lueius E. - 
Dunbar, "William, - 
Elms, AuiTUstus F. - 
Erskinc, Frank, 
Fullerton, Augustine, 
Gravi's, Oeor.iio F. - 
Gurnox-, Alvah A. 
Hanlim;, Jacob W. - 
Hardim:, John A. - 
Hanliii-, Noah T. - 
Harvov, James (i. - 
Hateh', John T. 
Hayes, Oliver F. - 
Horsey, Joseph, 
Hineklev, Andrew, - 
Uineklev, Daniel, - 
Ilod-do'ii, Geori,'e \V. 
Howe, Auirustns ^l. 
Ilowlnnd, M'illiani F. 
James, Edward, 
Jo.->elyn, .lames 1',. - 
Josselvn, William W. 
Joyee,' Isaac T. 
Knowlton, fJeoriro .S. 
Loavitt, Marens M. - 
IJtehfield, Francis II. 
Litehtield, Galen, - 
I.itchtiold, fJalon W. 
Litehtield. William G. 
lait'kin, Albert. 
Marsh, Joseph (). - 
McMakin. Jolm II. - 
Merritt, William (). - 
Neweond), Jolm 15. - 
Nott, Ashael T. 
Nott, Charles II. 
Nott, llo.soii 1). 



18 June 15, 
21 I Ir,, 

32 Auji.ll, 
29 June I,'), 
27 I 1.-), 

18 Jan. 20, 

21 Feb. 6, 

22 iJuuc 15, 
36 15, 

15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 



•io 



35 Jan. 29, 
25 June 15, 



15, 

15, 

15, 

Jan. 31, 

19 ; Juno 15, 

21 1.5, 

25 1,5, 

18 Aufi.24, 

32 Fob. 12, 

18 Juno 15, 



15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 

27 15, 

•2i\ 15, 

41 15, 

30 Auu.21 
19 ' 24, 
34 Juno 15, 
22 1.5, 

22 15, 

15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15, 



18 



I i 



'611 Juno 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

•6i: 27, 1864, do do 

'62 Sept. 29, 1863, disability. 

*()! June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61 Diedolwds. Mav 3,'63, Fred'ksb'u. 

'62 Disihar-i.l 18(i4as i.risonerof war. 

'62Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

'61 Tratjsf. Apr. 28, 1863, to V. K. C. 

'61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

'61! 27,1864, do do 

'61! 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Julv 20, 1862, disability. 

'61 Sept. 26, 1862, disability. 

'61 9, 1861, disability. 

•61 Died Oct. 12, '62, Downsvillo, Md. J. 

'61 Juno 27, 18(:4, exi>irarion of service. 

'62 Oct. 20, 18i;2, di.sibiiitv. 

'61 Apr. 17, 1863. di>ability. 

■61 Oct. 1.5, 18(12, di>ability. 

"61 Juno 27, 18()4, expiration of service. 

•61 27, 1864, do do 

'61 Mar. 17, 1862, disability. 

'61 June 27, 1864, oxjiiration of service. 

'61 Mar. 17, 1862, disability. , 

■61 Died Oct. 25,-(il. liri.:,di"twood, D.C. 

■61 June 27, 18()4. expiration of service. 

'61 27, 1864, do do 

■61 Died Mar. 13, '62, N. Bridjiewater. ) 

'62 Mar. 10, 1863, disability. 

'61 June 27, 18()4, expiration of service. 

'61' 27, 1864, do do 

'61' 27, 1864. do do 

61 Died Oct. 20, '61. Bri-htwood, D.C. 

'62 Sept. '23, 18(i2, ilisabilitv. 

'61 June 27, 186l,e\iiirMrion ofsorviec. 

'61, Mar. 29, 1862. disability. 

'(il Jan. -26, 1S63, disalulitv. 

'61 June 27, 1861. expiration of service. 

'61 Nov. 16, 1863, order War Dcpt. 

■(il June 27. lS(i I. exjiiration of service. 

■(il Sept. 23. 1S()2. di>abilitv. 

•61Transr. Jan. 22, ■(54. to V. U. C. 

•(ilOet. 7. 18(!2, .lisabilitv. 

'61 D'd of w.ls. May 7, '63,l>o. Cr. Hos. ^ 

'61 Juno 27, I8(i4,exi>iration ofsorviec. 

'61 Nov. 12, 1861, disability. 

'61 Killed Ma v. •{,'63, Marii''s Hts.,Vrt.^ - 

'(il June 27, 186l,e\piration ofsorviec. 

•61 .Ian 17. 1863, di>ability. 

•(il June 27, 18()1, e\i>iration of service. 

•61 .Sept. 26, 18t;3, di>abilitv. 

•(il Oct. 10, ISOJ, .lisabilitv. 

'(>1 June 27, 1864, expiration ofsorviec. 

•61 Di.'.l of w.ls. Mav 3.^(i3. Frod'ksb'j;. 

•61 Am.'. '25. |Sli3, .Usability. 

'61 Di.Ml of w.ls. May 7.'(!3, r...Cr. llos. 

'(il Dec. 3. 18(i2, .Usability. 

'61 Jun.'27, 1S()4, expiration t)f service. 

'61 Jan. 4. 1863, disability. 



276 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



NAME AND RANK. 



Termination of Service and 
cause thereof. 



Company if^— Con. 
Orcutt, Edward, 
PeiTV, John H. 
Powers, Rodman T. - 
Powers, Samuel A.- 
Pratt, Orange S. 
Pratt, Orange S. 
Ramsdell, Ames, 
Ramsdell, Samuel D. 
Reed, Charles W. - 
Reed, Cvrus, - 
Reed, Henry W. 
Reed, Nahum A. - - 
Reed, William E. - 
Rich, George W. 
Rich, Moses, - - - 
Rol)inson, David P. 
Robbins, Rufus, Jr. 
Snell, Samuel L., Jr. 
Sproull, Matthew L. 
Stevens, Osro, - - - 
Svlvester, Charles F. 
Taggard, David P. - 
Thorp, Joshua, 
Tirrell, Thomas, 
Welch, John, - - - 
Wliiting, Albert F. - 
Whitcomb, George W. - 
Williamson, Lorenzo, 
Wilder, James, 
Wilder, William, - 
Young, Carlos L. - - 
Y'^oung, Charles D. - 

Unasslgned Recruits. 

Drake, Otis P.- 
Hill, Nahum S. 
Lackey, George A.- 
Lewis, Francis, 
Melvin, Henry, - - ■ 
Niles, Samuel F. - - 
Parker, Albert, 
Randall, Martin, 
Robinson, Charles, - 
Sears, Augustus, 
Stiengardt, Daniel N. 
Thomas, Lucius, 
Tirrell, Frank, 
Vickery, Seth C. - 
Withington, Elijah, - 



20 June 15, '61 Sept. 9, 1861, disability. 

30 ! 15, '61 Died in Hospital. ) 

18 Feb. 23, '62 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

18 June 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

19 I 15, '61 Dec. 26, 1863, to re-enlist. 

21 Dec. 27, '63 Trans. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 

21 tjune 15, '61 Transf. Mar. 18, 1864, to V. R. C. 
43 iJan. 17, '62 Transf. June 14, 1864, to 37th Inf. 
19 June 15, '61 Killed Mav 3,'63, Marie's Hts.,Va. 
26 15, '61 Sept. 9, 1861, disability. 

18 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

18 15, "61 27, 1864, do do 

25 Jan. 27, '62 Nov. 10, 1862, disability. 

24 June 15, '61 Jvme 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

26 15, '61 Jime 27, 1864, do do 
36 15, '6l!Mar. 10, 1863, disability. 

33 15, '61 10, 1863, do 

19 15, '6l|Aug. 31, 1861, do 
18 15, '61JJan. 17, 1863, do 

22 15, '61|Deserted Jan. 25, 1862. 

18 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

38 15, '61 27, 1864, do do 

30 15, '6rAug. 5, 1861, disability. 

20 15, '6l'Sept. 9, 1861, do 

22 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 

18 15, '61iTransf. Aug. 1, 1863, to V. R. C. 

26 Aug. 11, '62 Sept. 26, 1863. disability. 

27 June 15, '61 Feb. 9, 1864, do 

19 15, '61 June 27. 1864, expiration of service. 
18 15, '61 Transf. Jan. 22, 1864, to V. R. C. 

21 15, '61 Mar. 10, 1863, disability. 

29 15, '61 June 27, 1864, expiration of service. 



26 Aug. 13, '62 Aug. — , 1862, rejected recruit. 

34 Feb. 12, '62 Apr. 11, 1862, reiected recruit. 

23 Jan. 30, '62 11, 1862, rejected recruit. 
22 Feb. 12, '62j 11, l862, rejected recruit. 
18 11, '62 11, 1862, rejected recruit. 

35 Jan. 3i, '62[ 11, 1862, rejected recruit. 
18 Feb. 7, '62 Never joined Regiment. 

36 Jan. 31, '62 Apr. 11, 1862, rejected recruit. 
25 Aug. 11, '62 Never joined Regiment. 

31 Jan. 31, '62 Apr. 11, 1862, rejected recruit. 
18 31, '62| 11, 1862, rejected recruit. 

24 Feb. 12, '62l 11, 1862, rejected recruit. 
24 Aug. 11, '62|Never joined Regiment. 

34 Feb. 12, '62 Apr. 11, 1862, rejected recruit. 
24 7, '62 11, 1862, rejected recruit. 

i 



Note.— James Holehouse of Co. B is reported as deserted. It should read 
"Discharged June 27, 1864, expiration of service." No doubt others arc erroneous- 
ly reported. The record of each man was taken from final muster-out rolls. 




llARRli: A. ClSilMAN, 
Scr,m.'aiit ( t). •' I-'.'" 



2 I ^ SEVENTH MASSACHrSETTS VOLUNTEER ENFAyTRT. 

Imagine the feelings of those who had enlisted as recruits 
and re-enlisted, who were formed into line under Capt. 
Wm. M. Hale and ordered to remain, while the others 
marched away. Perhaps it had better be imagined than 
told. While it was with feelings of gladness they knew 
their comrades had ceased their marches and fighting, and 
in a few days would be among those who would lovingly 
welcome them home, as the little squad saw their comrades 
with whom they had messed, quartered, marched, drilled, 
stood guard and picket duty and shoulder to shoulder in 
many battles, their eyes, which but a few days before, in 
advancing at Cold Harbor, were so full of fire, were now 
full of teai^ as they saw the forms of their comrades vanish 
in the distance. "Robinson Crusoe" was never more lone- 
some than each one of these ; and they were left to their ' 
own solemn thoughts for the evening, and to dream over 
the past three years and perhaps of home and friends, 
which, when they awoke, they found but a dream. 

On the next morning, June loth, the squad, under com- 
mand of Capt. Wm. M. Hale (whose courage had been fa- 
vorably tested in many skirmishes and battles,) were at- 
tached to the Thirty- seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, 
which was pleasing to all, as that regiment had always 
shown itself able and willing to undertake any task or posi- 
tion assigned them, which they had previous to and ever 
afterwards filled with bravery and honor : and having been 
associated with the Seventh in the same brigade from its 
first joining the army, it was a very satisfactory transfer. 

From June 15th until Aug. 20th, 1864, the Seventh at- 
tachment parti(5ipated with the Thirty-seventh in its marches 
and battles, and for the benefit of the members of the Sev- 
enth the following extracted from Comrade Jas. L. Bowen's 
history of the Thirty -seventh will no doubt call to memory 
incidents which are as true as they are interesting to all. 

On June 15th, just before dark, the order to march was 



TRANSFERRED TO THE THIRTY-SEVEXTn. 279 

received, and the command filed down the river bank to 
the river, crossed the i)ontoon bridge, and marched all 
night, guarding the trains. The next day was terrible hot, 
and the regiment accompanied the trains till they reached 
their destination at noon, when the brigade marched tow- 
ards Petersburg, Va., at length halting within about three 
miles of that city, near which was the most famous and 
deadly of all the Confederate intrenched lines, over and 
about which for forty-two long weeks struggle and battle 
and siege raged. June 17th, the men, resting after a tire- 
some march within sight of the spires of Petersburg, were 
ordered to "Fall in," and the column trudged away to the 
vicinity ot the Jordan house, near the City Point railroad, 
where they were to support the Vermont brigade, resting 
during the night in the orchard and grounds surrounding 
the fine mansion. The next morning brought orders to 
move to the right across the railroad, towards the Appo- 
mattox river. About 11 o'clock recrossed the railroad and 
occupied the vacated works of the enemy's abandoned front 
line, near the railroad bridge. An attack was ordered at 
noon, at which time an advance was made, the Thirty-sev- 
enth regiment deploying as skirmishers, when they were 
sul>jected to a galling fire from the front and some troops of 
Gen. Wheaton's brigade in the rear. About 3 o'clock 
another advance was ordered under a severe fire of the ene- 
my. Rifle-pits were hastily thrown up, which were held. 
On this advance Christopher Harding, formerly of Co. A, 
of the Seventh, was killed. Remained in iutrenchments 
during the day of the PJth, and at night Gen. Edwards' 
command was relieved by the Vermont brigade, and retired 
to a position near the railroad bridge, where the night was 
passed. The next morning the brigade was shelled out of 
its camp, and two men were killed in the Tenth Massachu- 
setts, just as they hauled out of line to return home, their 
term of service having expired. Shelter was taken in a ra- 



280 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

vine, where the boys enjoyed a clay of much needed rest 
until dark, when the brigade, now composed of the Thirty- 
seventh regiment and attachments and the Second Rhode 
Island battalion, were again ordered to the front to occupy 
a part of the line held b}' Gibbons' division of the Second 
Corps. At this point the blue and the gray were in some 
parts of the line not over a hundred yards apart. Sharp- 
shooting was indulged in during the day, the Thirty-seventh 
losing one man killed. In the evening the line was relieved 
by troops from Martindale's division, and a slow night 
march was made to the left. It being the second night the 
men had been without sleep, it was almost impossible at the 
frequent temporary halts to keep them from lapsing into 
utter insensibility. The march was continued towards the 
Weldon railroad. On the 22d the Thirty-seventh halted 
and then moved into position ou the extreme left of the 
corps, where the}' remained untilJune 29th, securing a rest 
which at that time was much needed to recuperate their 
exhausted condition. 

On the afternoon of June 29th the regiment was ordered 
to Eeams' Station to cavalry General Wilson's assistance. 
Formed a line of battle and intrenched, being disturbed at 
intervals by picket firing. The next day, at 6 o'clock, the 
command returned to its position near the Jerusalem plank- 
road. At this time in the Seventh attachment there were 
present for duty one oflScer and twenty-one men. For the 
next week the lines were quiet, save only now and then an 
artillery duel. As it had now been decided that Petersburg 
must be taken by siege, earthworks were built all along 
the line. 

July 4th was observed by the firing of the national salute 
with shot and shell. July 9Ui the regiment, with the bri- 
gade, was ordered at once to City Point, Va., en route for 
Washington, to meet Gen. Jubal A. Early's forces, who 
had defeated Generals Sigel and Hunter's forces and were 



TRANSFERRED TO THE THIRTY-SEVENTH. 281 

mai-ching down the Shenaiulonh valley, creating alarm for 
the safety of the national capital. Arriving at City Point, 
the regiment, with the Second Rhode Island, eml)arked on 
the steamer Peril, which steamed to Washington, and on 
the morning of the 12th Colonel Edwards hmded his bri- 
gade at Sixth street wharf, and marched through Pennsyl- 
vania avenue up Seventh street to the front, near Fort 
Stevens, formerly Fort Massachusetts, near Gen. Couch's 
headquarters in the winter of 1861-62. Little did the men 
who helped build the fort in those days ever think that 
there would be any occasion such as now presented to use 
it for defence. The following is taken from the Thirty- 
seventh's history : 

••'The fort at tills time presented au interesting spectacle. lu its 
safe iuclosure were gathered cabinet officers, and citizens of both 
sexes, who had come out from the city to see the Sixth Corps whip 
Early, while in an embrasure beside Gen. Wright and a surgeon 
stood the tall form of President Lincoln. Gen. Russell, command- 
ing the First Division of the Sixth Corps, with two of his brigade 
commanders. Gen. Upton and Col. Edwards, had just entered the 
fort and mounted the parapet to select positions for tlieir commands 
which were to join witli a portion of the Second Division in an at- 
tack on the enemy. The turning of their field glasses toward the 
enemy's line was a signal for his sharpshooters to open, and one of 
their bullets almost immediately entered the embrasure, struck a 
wheel of the siege gun, and wounded the surgeon standing almost 
directly behind and close to the President. The latter was then in- 
duced by Gen. Wright to sit down out of range, and a chair was 
placed for him against the parapet. Somewhat later, as he sat 
there, one of his cabinet said, "Mr. President, if you will look over 
in that direction," pointing with his finger, "you can see just where 
the rebels are." His reply was characteristic: "My impression is 
that if I am where I can see the rebels, they are wliere they can see 
me." But in spite of this theory, as the lines advanced that unmis- 
takable form was discerned watching their progress from over the 
parapet." 



18 



282 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

The attack being arranged, the Union lines pushed for- 
ward, Forts Stevens and Slocuni keeping up a heavy and 
continuous cannonade, and about 6 o'clock a gallant charge 
■was made by the brigade, also by other troops of the corps, 
and in a short time the enemy were driven back from the 
position they had so boldly taken. The Thirty-seventh was 
on the right of the line, and was not severely engaged. 
Two men were wounded and one man killed, and one officer 
and one man in the Tenth attachment were wounded. 

On the march through Washington the people warmly 
welcomed the gallant Sixth Corps, — in fact the city was 
theirs, — for the populace knew they had come to save the 
national capital, which was guarded insecurely by militia, 
department clerks, and disabled soldiers of the Veteran 
Reserve Corps. The members of the Seventh recognized 
their old Camp Brightwood as they passed. About mid- 
night the regiment was relieved and fell back a short dis- 
tance for bivouac. In the morning the enemy had disap- 
peai'ed, and at noon orders were issued for an advance of 
the Sixth Corps and Emory's division of the Nineteenth 
Corps. Forts DeRussy and Reno were passed, thence 
through Tennallytown to Orcutt's X Roads, where the reg- 
iment halted for the night. On the 14th, being detailed as 
rear-guard, the regiment moved about 3 p. m. as wagon- 
guard, marched about five miles and halted in a pine grove, 
where the command remained until noon, when it moved 
to Poolesville, Md., at which place the execution of a de- 
serter and spy was witnessed. On the 16th marched 
through Leesburg and halted three miles from that place. 
July 17th rested in camp. July 18th marched through 
Hamilton, Purcellsville and Snickersville, near where a halt 
was made about noon. In the afternoon marched to near 
Snicker's Ferry, on the Shenandoah, where the two armies 
settled down on either side of the river, each bank picketed 
with a line of sharpshooters. It was here that the men of 



TRANSFERRED TO THE THIRTY-SEVENTH. 283 

the Thirty-seventh had the tirst opportunity of testing their 
new guns, the "Spencer" rifle, which had been issued to 
them nt Washington, and which were so much superior to 
ordinar}' muskets that the enemy called out asking what 
kind of a "shooting-iron" it was, which was not surprising, 
as one could fire seven times without reloading. 

On the morning of the 20th the Thirty-seventh was or- 
dered to force a crossing. The men were deployed, and at 
the signal jumped into the river and waded across in quick 
time, with water up to their waists. Up the bluffs they 
rushed, expecting to meet the enemy, possibly in aml)ush, 
but not a rifle's crack was heard. It was a thrilling ad- 
vance, but a bloodless victory, as the Confederates had left, 
and were reti-eating towards Strasburg, pursued by Averill's 
cavalry. A march of about three miles was made, through 
a terrific thunder storm, when a halt was ordered. Gen. 
Wright's orders were, as soon as he had driven the enemy 
far enough into the valley, to hasten his own and the Nine- 
teenth Corps back to Petersburg in time to strike a power- 
ful blow there before Early's arrival. In his judgment the 
said time had arrived, and al)out midnight the column re- 
crossed the Shenandoah, up and down the slopes of the 
Blue Ridge, passing through the gap, toward and through 
Leesburg to a point four miles from that place, when a halt 
was made on the banks of "Goose creek," which was eager- 
ly filled by bathers and washermen. At 8 o'clock the next 
morning the march was resumed ; passed Dranesville, cross- 
ing "Difficult Run," and halted about fifteen miles from 
Washington. At 4 o'clock next morning resumed the march. 
AI)out 9 o'clock the defences of Washington came into view. 
Fort Marcy standing guard over Chain bridge was passed, 
the bridge crossed, and about noon went into camp near 
Fort Gaines, one-half mile from Tennallytown. At this place 
five days' rations and fiesh su[)plics of clothing were re- 
ceived. Sunday and Monday wore enjoyed as days of rest. 



2^ JETEyTH MASRM^rrSETTS VOLl^TZIIE rSTAVTEY. 

The Sixth Covps now expected to return to Petersburg. 
bat G^ Earij, ** soon as be learned that the corps had 
witiidnvii from the raller. •^ent Ramseur's dirisioD to drire 
Arerill dovn the Winchester pike, which he failed to do. 
ATcriirs troops ronted the enemv and drove him op the 
Tallev towards Strasboi^. On the 24th the noted Gen, 
£arlr, who was sometimes late, but at this time early, fell 
upon Crook with an impetooas attack, defeated and pursued 
biffi to the Potomac, where in the best positions in the 
Sootfa Moantain pa^e»& the Union forces were halted. A 
raiding partr under the Confederate McCausland went in- 
to Cliambersbnrg, Pa., and homed it, and were subsequent- 
\x followed so eloselr br Gen. Arerill that they could not 
apply toidies, and finally were badly defeated. A large 
portion of the eonimand, with all of his arriller}-, was cap- 
tured, and Early's caralry was badly disabled. 

Crook's disaster was the signal for "Aboat foce" for the 
Surth Corps. Onoe more we were to go op the valley 
The camp near Tennaliytown was left: passed through 
Bockville. 9nd encamped five miles beyond. Next morn- 
ing' ■ :,e march through some pretty villages, includ- 
ing: - md Clarksburg, and halted near Hyattstown. 

On the i'itkk passed through Hyattstown, beyond Url^a- 
na, halting about noon near Monocaej* creek, on the scene 
of the reeeot battle of Wallace and Early, where Gen. 
Rkrkette and his gallant division distinguished themselves. 
It being intensely hot, a rest was ordered until 5 p. m.. 
when a mardi wa« made through Frederick to Jefferson , 
where a halt was made about midnight for the night. The 
next rooming were again on the march through Jefferson. 
Centei^viile and Petersville to Knoxville on the Potomac, 
tbeoce up the river, crossing the ponto^jn bridge. leading 
into Harper's Terry, and four miles to Halltown. On this 
day's march of only fifteen miles over thirty men of the 
corps died of sunngtroke. 



TKAZrSFEKKZD TO THE xmnT-^rrEVTH. r^j 

Tbe forces of Wright sod Crook wen bov ^uted, Gcb. 
Banter beii^ in cotamamd. (>■ tbe west dar the Sixtk 
Corps was ordered far Haato- to p tog g g d to Frede rick to 
preveut MeCauskuid horn noriis sovtKvaid. Gea.Wi^kt, 
in the caose of hnmawtr, protested that his aea v«e the* 
anfit to narcfa, bat as the order was iasisted apoB. at 3 
o'cUm^ the morefDeot be^an. At Harpers Ferry a loa^ 
hah was made, and the whole amiT pcaeked dot^lT oa the 
narrow valley, exposed to the direct rays of the barai]^ 
SOD. the day heiog the hottest ever experieaced. The ofi- 
cer« and men sudfered terribly, and Edward Dana of Co. I 
died l^om the heat and exhaikstion. A cn^sns ^>ra& Bade 
on a pontoon bridge, passii^ tb?»B?b Sandy Hook and 
KDoxrille. and halted near Pe' bence coatinaed 

the march to within a mile of r Atthov^ this 

march was only ten miles, nearly ooe-half of the members 
of the Sixth Corps — which for power of eodorance had won 
the admiration of the world — had £tllen oat by the way. 
but wer« still toiling on to ivach their cooimand. This 
closed the month of Jnly, 16^. one of the most trrin^ ex- 
perienced by the regiment. 

August 1st and id were devoted to moch needed r^s. 
Aug. 3d the raiment took the lead in the day's march, 
passing through Lime Kilu Station and Buekeyetowa, south 
of Frederick. The Monocacy was forded and a camp estab- 
lished. The 4lh iKMngan:^- 
dent Liuooln. services wen: 

headquarters. The nest day Gen. Grant visited Gen. 
Hunter at his headquarters in Fn?derick. Md.. and an im- 
portant change was the result. Gen. Hunter was quite 
willing to be reliever! from command, and Sheridan was at 
once telegrsphed to take ci»mmand of all the forces in the 
field, which o\>nsi^ted now of the Six ~ the Nine^ 

teenth and Eighth Corj^s. and tbe Scv - on of Cav- 

alrv from the Ainiv of the Potomac, all of which constituted 



286 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

the Middle Military Division. From this time, under Sher- 
idan and his trusty generals, officers and enlisted men, com- 
menced a series of successes for the next sixty days unpar- 
alleled during the war for brilliancy of execution and 
bravery. 

On Aug. ^, tents were struck, and the regiment served 
as a wagon-guard to Harper's Ferry. On the 7th passed 
through Bolivar Heights and joined the corps which had 
gone into position the day before. Encamped for two days 
in this position. Aug. 10 broke camp, passed through 
Charlestown, the county seat, where John Brown's body 
dangled in the air in December, 1859. Baited near Clifton 
and bivouacked for the night. On the morning of the lltb 
the regiment crossed Opeqnan creek, made a reconnaissance, 
but finding no enemy, returned to White Post and en- 
camped. On the 12th was detailed to escort trains to Win- 
chester. Next day advanced through Kernstown, Newton 
and Middletown, and joined the brigade near Strasburg, 
where the armies confronted each other. 

Sheridan, now desiring to draw the enemy (own the val- 
ley, ordered a retreat to the position on the lequan, from 
which he had first moved out from Halltow The Thirty- 
seventh marched in the night, reaching Win ester at sun- 
rise of the 17th, thence after a short halt it cc inued across 
the Opequan and halted on the eastern ban! where about 
midnight the regiment was sent back across he creek and 
deployed as skirmishers. Next morning mu hed through 
the rain and mud to near Charlestown, wh e four days' 
fresh rations were received. Remained in amp inactive 
for two days. 

At this time (Aug. 20) the men of the S( snth attach- 
ment were detailed by their old Colonel, now ieneral Rus- 
sell, commanding the First Division, Sixth < )rps, as pro- 
vost-guard at his headquarters, which was a evidence of 
the love and care he still had of the Seven h Regiment 



TRANSFERRED TO THE THIRTY-SEVENTH. 287 

members. The writer saw him on the afternoon of this day 
sitting in his tent, and, knocking on the pole, was bidden 
to walk in. While standing at "attention," he raised his 
piercing eyes to me and said, "Well, well, my boy, what 
is it?" I said, "General, am I not soon entitled to a com- 
mission? We have men enongh in our attachment for a 
second lieutenant, and as I was acting sergeant-major of the 
Seventh from May 18th until it went home, I feel as if I 
was entitled to a second lieutenancy." The general said, 
"Yes, yes, I know ; but, young man, your position as clerk 
at Sixth Corps headquarters is a good safe one, and the 
other would be dangerous. Unless you are to adopt army 
life for a profession, I think the position you are in will 
do you more good ; take my advice, remain as you are ; 
you will certainly learn more of what will do you good in a 
citizen's life." I thanked him, saluted, and passed out of 
his tent, thinking how much he was like a father to us all. 

Aug. 21 was a quiet Sunday morning, but the enemy by 
his presence soon broke the peaceful day. Early had been 
re-enforced liy Jvershaw's division of infantry, one of cav- 
alry, and soniO;citillery, and when Sheridan fell back had 
followed clos 'i-u taking up his position at Bunker Hill, 
leaving Andef'fsoh with the fresh troops at Winchester. On 
this morningjaccombined attack was made, Anderson ad- 
vancing by tl /direct route from Winchester, while Earl}^ 
came in from he west. Anderson found the Union cavalry 
in his front te- strong for him, but Early came on impetu- 
ously, skedati led the cavalry outposts, and struck a heavy 
blow upon ti,j Sixth Corps skirmish line. The Thirty- 
seventh was < lickly ordered to strengthen the picket line, 
and was dou)' e-quicked to a sunken road commanding a 
wide field ii front, and at once the spiteful crack of the 
Spencer rifle >'as heard. The enemy directed a heavy ar- 
tillery fire 01 (the line, and their sharpshooters tried to dis- 
lodiTc the "Ytinks," but the line never wavered. Skirmish- 



288 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

ing continued all through the clay, and the Thirty-seventh 
men fired nearly 200 shots each, which had a telling effect 
on the Confederate line. During the day five men were 
killed and fifteen wounded, among the latter being Capt. 
Wm. M. Hale, who on this occasion commanded a company 
in the Thirty-seventh. 

From this time to Sept. 16th, marches, and skirmishes, 
and picket duty was the routine. On Sept. 17th Gen. 
Grant came to see his trusty lieutenant, Sheridan, and upon 
the latter unfolding to him his plans, he ordered him to 
*'go in," which the gallant "Phil." at once commenced to do 
by issuing orders, and on the 19th, at 3 o'clock, the Sixth 
Corps was moving, the column consisting of Wilson's divis- 
ion of cavalry, the Sixth Corps, Getty's division No. 1, 
Rickett's division No. 2, and Russell's division in the rear. 
The line of march was along the Berryville and Winchester 
pike, crossing the Opequan, advancing about two miles 
through a narrow ravine into open ground, where the battle 
was fought. Getty's division went into position on the left 
of the pike, Rickett's on the right; just before which the 
writer heard Russell say to Sheridan, "Phil., why do you 
put me in the rear?" "Because," said Sheridan, "I know 
what I shall have there in a commanding officer if the line 
should break at or near that point." Perhaps Sheridan's 
own words in his memoirs will fit here the best : 

"Getty and Ricketts made some progress towards Wiuchester in 
connection with Wilson's cavah'y, which was beyond the Senseny 
road on Getty's left, and as they were pressing back Ramseur's 
infantry and Lamar's cavalry, Grover of the Nineteenth Corps at- 
tacked from the right with decided effect. Gi'over in a few minutes 
broke up Evans' brigade of Gordon's division, but his pursuit of 
P>ans destroyed the continuity of my general line, and increased an 
interval that had already been made by the deflection of Ricketts to 
the left, in obedience to instructions that had been given him to 
guide his division on the Berryville pike. As the line pressed for- 



TRANSFERRED TO THE THIRTY-SEVENTH. 289 

ward, Ricketts observed tliis wideuiiig interval, and endeavored to 
fill it with tlie small brigade of Col. Keifer, but at this juncture 
both Gordon and Kodes struck the weak spot where the right of the 
Sixth Corps and the left of the Nineteenth should have been in con- 
junction, and succeeded in checking my advance by driving back a 
part of Rickett's division and the most of Grover's. As these troops 
were retiring, I ordered Russell's reserve division to be put into 
action, and just as the flank of the enemy's troops in pursuit of 
G rover was presented, Upton's brigade, led in person by both Rus- 
sell and Upton, struck it in a charge so vigorous as to drive the 
Confederates back in turn to their original ground. 

"The success of Russell enabled me to re-establish the right of 
my line some little distance in advance of the position from which it 
started in the morning, and behind Russell's division (now com- 
manded by Upton,) the broken regiments of Ricketts' division were 
rallied. Dwight's division of the Nineteenth Corps was then 
brought up on the right, and Grover's was formed behind it. 

"The charge of Russell was most opportune, but it cost many 
men in killed and wounded. Among the former was the courageous 
Russell himself, killed by a piece of shell that passed through his 
heart, although he had previously been struck by a bullet in the left 
breast, which wound, irom its nature, must have proved mortal, 
yet of which he had not spoken. Russell's death oppressed us all 
with sadness, and me particularly. In the early days of my army 
life he was my captain and friend, and I was deeply indebted to 
him, not only for sound advice and good example, but for the ines- 
timable service he had just performed and sealed with his life ; so 
it may be inferred how keenly I felt his loss." 

Since this tribute, Sheridan has joined the army of the 
loyal dead, and his courageous si)ii'it can coniinime with 
that of his old captain and others of his command who have 
gone before. 

The Thirty-seventh well sustained their reputation that 
day as fighters, and from the rapidity and number of shots 
their Spencers could tire, were able with their 29G men 
to do the work of a regiment of a thousand. They lost 
heavily, having 15 men killed and 7 otticers and 72 men 



19 



290 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

wounded. The pursuit was kept up through Winchester. 
In recognition of the galhuit services of Col. Edwards and 
his command, as soon as the fighting ceased Col. Edwards 
was made Commandant of the Post at Winchester, with his 
brigade for a garrison, where it remained until Dec. 12th, 
when it was ordered to Petersburg, where it arrived and 
was immediately posted in front near the line of the Weldon 
railroad, in the vicinity of Fort Wadsworth and Warren 
Station. During December and January the men were em- 
ployed as usual on front lines. On Feb. 5th the regiment, 
with Wheaton's division, was sent to Hatcher's Run, in 
support of the Fifth Corps (Crawford's division) ; was un- 
der fire as support, and next day returned to old camp. 

On the 20th of February, 1st Sergeant Jos. D. Calchan, 
and on March 7th, 1st Sergeant Harrie A. Cushman, who 
were transferred from the Seventh as sergeants and ap- 
pointed 1st Sergeants of Cos. C and E, were respectively 
made 2d Lieutenants, and served as such in said companies. 
Lieut. Calehan was subsequently detailed at Gen. Wheaton's 
division headquarters as assistant provost-marshal, Lieut. 
Cushman remaining in the regiment. 

March 26th the Sixth Corps was massed in front of Fort 
Fisher, and the Thirty-seventh was detailed as skirmishers, 
and succeeded in resisting the advance of the Confederates, 
who had withdrawn their picket line. Withdrew at night 
and marched back to camp. From this time until March 
30th the regiment was called up each morning before day- 
light and placed under arms in the rifle-pits. April 1st the 
corps was concentrated in front of Forts Fisher and Welch. 
Edwards' brigade formed the right of the Sixth Corps. The 
skirmish line in front of Fort Welch was made up of 75 
picked men from the Thirty-seventh, under command of 
Capt. Jack C. Robinson and Lieut. Harrie A. Cushman. 
Formed on the same line were the brigade pioneers, com- 
manded by Lieut. Dave Donaldson. This line was to make 



TRANSFERRED TO THE THIRTY-SEVENTH. 291 

the advance at tlie souikI of the signal guns, just before 
daylight on the morning of April 2d, on the two-gun bat- 
tery in Fort Welch ; the pioneers armed with axes were to 
cut away the double line of the abattis, while the aim of the 
75 rifles was to be directed on the top of the breastwork 
to keep the enemy from firing grape and canister into the 
division which was to chai-ge over the skirmish line. 

At the appointed time, two guns from Fort Fisher 
boomed the signal, and the "forlorn hope" of skirmishers 
and pioneers quickly advanced. The enemy's picket- line 
was captured, at which time a destructive tire was opened 
by the enemy on the advancing line, which was returned by 
the skirmishers seven-fold with their Spencer I'ifles. The 
front of the fort was gained, and the brave pioneers com- 
menced cutting away the obstructions. The line of battle 
now sprang forward with a rush and cheer, and went 
straightforward into the enemy's works. Company E lead- 
ing in the scramble up the parapet. Corporal Richard 
A^'elch of Co. E knocked down a Confederate color-bearer 
and seized his flag, for which he received a medal of honor. 
Lieut. Waterman of Co. E was wounded, also Corporal 
Luther M. Tanner; and private Michael Kelley was killed. 
The regiment lost in this assault three killed, and three 
officers and 29 men wounded. Had the attack been made 
a few minutes later, in daylight instead of in the gloom, 
the loss must have been much heavier. Lieut. Cushman 
turned over the two guns captured by his command, and 
joined his regiment, the lines were re-formed, and the corps 
pressed on, driving the enemy toward IJatcher's Run ; then 
countermarched toward Petersburg. Companies E and I 
were placed on the skirmish line, and Gen. Edwards was 
appointed general officer of the day. Glor\' enough for one 
day had been won, and the tired, brave boys rested for the 
night. 

On the morning of A[)ril 3 Gen. Edwards advanced his 



292 SEVEVTH MASSACHUSETTS TOLUyTEER lyFAXTEY. 

skirmish line into the outskirts of the city without opposi- 
tion, for Petersburg was evacuated, and the city was sur- 
rendered formally to Gen. Edwards by Mayor Towne and 
other officials. The Thirty-seventh was ordered into the 
city to preserve order. It remained there a few hours, 
finalh' rejoined the brigade, and about noon commenced its 
march following Lee's arm\'. Ten miles were covered the 
first day, and the march was resumed at daylight ou the 
4th, and continued until dark. 

On the 5th the corps made a forced maVch and joined 
Sheridan's forces at Jetersville late in the evening. On the 
6th moved following Sheridan until "Sailor's creek" was 
reached. Here the enemy under Ewell, which was com- 
posed of nearly a third of Lee's army, was making a des- 
perate stand to protect their wagon-trains. The order, 
"Double-quick," was received, and for three miles the men 
went forward at a pace which nothing but the intense ex- 
citement enabled them to sustain. On they pressed, and 
passing Generals Sheridan and Wright, Gen. Edwards 
pausing for a moment to receive their welcome and direc- 
tions for placing his command, led the brigade straight for 
the battle-field at quick speed. Crossing the creek, the 
lines were deployed, the Thirty-seventh on the left of the 
brigade ; the skirmishers advanced up the slope, a scatter- 
ing fire was encountered from the enemy's skirmishers, and 
as the regiment advanced scrambling through the woods a 
terrific crash of musketry burst from the Confederate lines. 
But the aim was high, and mostly went over the heads of 
the Thirty-seventh, Here again the Spencer did its annihi- 
lating work by tearing the opposing line into demoralized 
fragments. While some surrendered, and many fell, the 
rest broke away and ran through the forest pursued by the 
elated Thirty-seventh. Soon a heavy column was seen 
passing the left flank of the regiment. It was Gen. Custis 
Lee, who had moved his brigade (including the famous 



TRANSFERRED TO THE THIRTY-SEVENTH. 293 

Seventh regiment of Savannali and a battalion of marines 
from the irnnhoats which had heen destroyei^l at tlie evacua- 
tion of Richmond,) through a ravine to the rear of the reg- 
iment, which had become isolated and unsupported in its 
advance. The command was "Change front to the rear I" 
and Lee's brigade burst from the cover of the gulch and 
ferociously charged upon the thin line of the Thirty-seventh. 
It was the severest test the regiment had ever been sub- 
jected to, but was most magniticently met. Lee's wave of 
chivalry struck the rock of Massachusetts manhood only to 
recoil. Both sides fought with desperate courage, hand to 
hand with bayonets, clubbing each other with muskets, pis- 
tols, and even knives, and the blue and gray mingled in 
one mass as the line swayed to and fro, the blue not gain- 
ing an inch. At last the repeating rities proved superior, 
and the euem}' were pushed back in a broken rout into the 
gorge from which the}' had emerged, and made signals of 
surrender. At this time Lieut. Cushman was wounded, Avhile 
Gen. Custis Lee was in the act of surrendering to him, by 
a marine who had thrown down his gun, the rebel thinking 
that he was about to shoot the general, having him covered 
by a revolver near his left cheek. Corporal White of Lieut. 
Cushmans company afterwai-ds captured the general. 

Every man in the command proved himself a hero in 
this, their last battle. Adjutant Bradle}' stepped forward 
to meet a Confederate otiicer who was advancing as though 
to give himself up, when the latter drew a pistol and wound- 
ed the adjutant, who grappled with his assailant, and they 
rolled down the bank in the struggle which followed. 
Bradley, having been shot in both thighs and both shoulder- 
blades by a bystanding rebel, was overpowered, and his 
anta^onis;! was poising his pistol to give a death shot, when 
his own traitorous life was extinguished by a well-directed 
shot from the rifle of Private Samuel E. Eddy of Co. D. 
Simultaneously with the shot, Eddv was thrust throui^h the 



294 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

breast with a bayonet in the hands of a stalwart Sonthron. 
The weapon protruded from the back near the spine, and 
the unfortunate soldier being thrown, was literally pinned 
to the ground. The assailant then endeavored to wrest 
away Eddy's rifle, but the wounded man grasped his trusty 
weapon with a grip which few men in either army could 
equal, and notwithstanding his awful situation, succeeded 
in throwing another cartridge into his rifle, and the next 
moment sent a minnie ball through the heart of his antag- 
onist, who, falling across Eddy's prostrate form, was pushed 
aside by the Unionist with one hand as though it were the 
carcass of a dog ; after which he withdrew the bayonet from 
his own horrible wound, rose to his feet and walked to the 
rear, and, contrary to all expectations, his iron constitution 
enabled him to survive the terrible transfixion, and he is 
still living at his home in West Chesterfield, Mass. After 
this exhibition of treachery, it required but a few volleys to 
bring the Confederates to their senses and to a complete 
surrender, the cavalry at the upper end of the ravine cut- 
ting off their retreat. Three hundred prisoners were cap- 
tured by the Thirty-seventh, and Generals Ewell and Ker- 
shaw were captured elsewhere in the line, with about all 
that remained of Ewell's corps. There was little attempt 
to count, scarcely to guard, the captures made. Every- 
where the shout was, "Forward !" — onward to strike the 
final blows. Private Taggart of Co. B (after an unsuccess- 
ful attempt was made by 1st Sergt. Warner of Co. E, he 
being wounded,) captured a rebel color, for which act of 
bravery he received a medal of honor. 

The Thirty-seventh had fought its last and most brilliant 
battle. Meeting superior numbers, cut ofl' from all support 
and almost surrounded, receiving in an open desperate en- 
counter the charge of a select brigade led by an ambitious 
young officer, the regiment had nobly shown the grand 
quality of its composition. It is for this reason that the 



TRANSFERRED TO THE THIRTY-SEVENTH. 295 

writer has copied from its history, and placed it in the his- 
tory of the Seventh; also as a recognition of the warm, 
brave, loyal hearts who so royally welcomed him to their 
ranks as a member from the old Seventh. 

In the foreffoinor battle, nine had been killed and 31 
wounded, which was much less than might have been ex- 
pected from the ferocity of the contiict. Right here it is 
well to mention that the new Second Rhode Island Volun- 
teers, under conmiand of that young, brave and skilful sol- 
dier. Col. Elisha H. Rhodes, was in the same brigade, and 
pai'ticipated gallantly in the same marches, skirmishes and 
battles with the Thirty-seventh, and in the foregoing battle 
especially covered itself with glory. 

The brigade encamped that night near the battle-field, 
and the succeeding two days were occupied in following up 
the retreating fragments of Lee's army, which on the 9th 
was surrendered. It is said that the joy which followed 
the surrender, as it became generally known, cannot be ex- 
pressed in words. The men were wild on both sides, real- 
izing that no longer was an opposing army to be watched 
or feared. 

After the surrender the Thirty-seventh was ordered to 
Burkesville, thence to Danville, where it remained in camp 
till May 3, when it was ordered to Wilson's Station on the 
Southside railroad. Here two weeks were pleasantly passed 
until May 18, when it marched to Manchester, near Rich- 
mond, Va. Remained there until May 24, and then marched 
to Bailey's Cross Roads, arriving there June 2d. June 21, 
1865, the Thirty-seventh was mustered out of service, the 
transferred men of the Seventh and Tenth regiments being 
transferred to the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteers. 

Following is a roster of men who were transferred from 
the Seventh to the Thirty-seventh, with their termination 
of service and cause thereof: 



296 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



William M. Hale, 
Thomas Dolan, 
Robert Sheehan, 
George A. Brown, 
Christopher Harding, 
Edward E. Randall, 
Edward Tootles, 
Patrick H. O'Brien, 
Abram Brokaw, 
Isaac H. Bnrrows, 
John Cunningham, 
William Donohue, 
John G. Hamer, 
Patrick Meaney, 
William Purcell, 
Robert Smythe, 
George E. Willis, 
Lloyd Wilbm-, 
Henry Withington, 
Hiram Rogers, 
Edward C. Staples, 
William C. Cahoon, 
William E. Hatliaway, 
Charles E. Staples, 
Isaac Ariel, 
George N. Cole, 
Christopher C. Besse, 
George T. Briggs, 
Joel Briggs, 
William 0. Brown, 
Renl)cn Cliaoe, 
Henry H. Codding, 
Jeremiah Eldredge, 
Isaac F. Hathaway, 
George R. Trafton, 
William E. Walker, 
Henry B. Bonney, 
Martin C. Hetherston, 
Henry G. W. Kittredge, 
James F. Lord, 
Allen Wright, 
George H. Barry, 
Edward K. Baker, 
George E. Crossley, 
John Flaherty, 
John M. Ford, 
Hugh Hickey, 
Thomas Itigles, 
Patrick O'Connor, 
Ethan A. Randall, 



Captain, Discli. Dec. 19, '64, on account of wounds, 
Prin. Mus'n, Disch. July 16, '65, from 20th Mass. Vols. 
Prin. Mus'n, Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 
Mus. Co. A, Disch. Feb. 13, '65, expiration of service. 
Priv. Co. A, Killed June 16, '64, Petersburg, Va. 

do do Disch. Jan. 30, '65, from Co. I, 37th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. K, 20th Mass. 
Priv, Co. B, Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. K, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 12, '65, expiration of service. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. May 12, '64, from Co. A, 37th,insan'y 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. K, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. Jan. 27, '65, from Co. K, 37th, exp'n. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. K, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. Feb. 12, '65, from Co. I, 37th Mass. 
Sergt. Co. C, Disch. July 27, '65, from Co. K, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. K, 20th Mass. 
Corp. Co. C, Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C. 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. K, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 27, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 
Priv. Co. C, Disch, June 15, '65, from Co. A, 37th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass 
Priv. Co. D, Died in rebel prison, Mellen, Ga., 1864, 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. June 19, '64, from Co. A, 37th Mass. 

do do Disch. Feb. 19, '65, from Co. A, 37th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, "65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. Aug. 28, '64, expiration of service. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass, 

do do Disch. Jan. 12, '65, from Co A, 37th, disa'ty 

do do Disch. Jan. 20, '65, from Co. I, 37th Mass, 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 
Sergt. Co. E, Disch, July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co, K, 2()th Mass. 

do do Disch, July 16, '65, from Co, K, 20th Mass. 
Corp. Co. E, Disch. July 16, 65, from Co. K, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass, 
Priv. Co. E, Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. Aug, 1, '64, expiration of service. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. Feb. 10, '65, from Co. A, 37th Mass. 

do do Transferred Sept., ''64, to navy, 

do do Disch. July. 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 

do do Disch. June 21, '65, from Co. E, 37th Mass. 

do do Disch, July 16, '65, from Co, C, 20th Mass. 



TRANSFERRED TO THE THIRTY-SEVENTH. 



297 



Joseph D. Ciilehan, 



Sergt. Co. F, 



Harric A. Cusliman, Sergt. Co. F, 



James Burns, 
Charles H. Pe(;k, 
John W. Stowell, 
Edwin S. Thayer, 
George Sager, 
John Johnson, 
Nicholas Loftes, 
Howard W. Pliillips, 
Morris Smetldy, 
Everett F. Howard, 
Briggs O. Keene, 
James N. Perry, 
Ichabod A. Tillson, 
John A. Leach, 
Thomas B. Sherman, 
James F. Bradley, 
Rodman T. Powers, 
Samuel D. Rarasdcll, 



Priv. Co. F, 
do do 
do do 
do do 

Mus. Co. G, 

Priv. Co. G, 
do do 
do do 
do do 

Priv. Co. H, 

Priv. Co. I, 
do do 
do do 

Corp. Co. K, 
do do 

Priv. Co. K, 
do do 
do do 



I Promoted from 1st Sergt. Co. C, 37th, to 
I 2d Lieut., to date, Oct. 13, '64. 

I Promoted from 1st Sergt. Co. E, 37th, to 
I 2d Lieut., to date, Oct. 13, '64. 

Deserted Sept. 20, '64, from Co. A, 37th Mass. 
Disch. July 16, '6;'), from Co. K, 20th Mass. 
Disch. June 21, '65, from Co. E, 37th Mass. 
Disch. Jan. 27, '65. from Co. I, 37th Mass. 
Disch. July 16, '6'), from Co. C, 20th Mass. 
Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 
Disch. Apr. 25, '64, from Co. K, 37th,disa'ty 
Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 
Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. K, 20th Mass. 
Disch. Mar. 4, '65, from Co. A, 37th Mass. 
Disch. Feb. 9, '65, from Co. B, 37th Mass. 
Died of wds. July 25. '64, in Co. K, 37th. — 
Disch. Feb. 14, '65, from Co. I, 37th Mass. 
Disch. Aug. 24, '64, expiration of service. 
Disch. July 16, '65, from Co. C, 20th Mass. 
Disch. May 12, '65, from Co. A, 37th Mass. 
Disdi. June 12, '65, expiration of service. 
Disch. Jan. 27, '65, from Co. I, 37th Mass. 



^0 



Regimental Re-Unions. 



THE first re-union was held in Music Hall, Taunton, 
Mass., June 15, 1869. Since then, re-unions have 
been held as follows : Fall River, Oct. 12, 1870; South 
Abington, Sept. 15, 1871; Taunton, June 15, 1872 ; Attle- 
boro, June 16, 1873; Taunton, June 15, 1874, June 15, 
1875, June 15, 1876, June 15, 1877, June 15, 1878, June 
16, 1879, June 15, 1880; South Abington, June 15, 1881 ; 
Mansfield, June 15, 1882 ; Forest Hill Gardens, Fall River, 
June 15, 1883 ; Taunton, June 16, 1884 ; Pacific House, 
Nantasket Beach, June 15, 1885, June 15, 1886, June 15, 
1887, June 15, 1888 ; Maverick House, East Boston, June 
15, 1889. 

The following comrades have been Presidents of the Asso- 
ciation : Harrie A. Cushman, 1869-70; F. P. Harlow, 
1871-72 ; Zeba F. Bliss, 1873-74-75 ; B. F. Cunningham, 
1876-77; James R. Mathewson, 1878-79; Wm. H. Wade, 
1880-81-82 ; Isaac W. Giles, 1883 ; Albert S. Palmer, 1884 ; 
Chas. T. Robinson, 1885-86; James G. Church, 1887; 
Alfred A. Seaverns, 1888-89 ; Zeba F. Bliss, 1890. 

From 1869 to 1874 Dan. Packard was Secretary of the 
Association ; since then, Harrie A. Cushman has occupied 
that position. 

The Treasurers up to June 15, 1878, were Comrades Z. 
F. Bliss, Wm. M. Hale, Luke B. Noyes, Jr. ; since which 
time Comrade Benj. F. Cunningham has filled the position. 

The average number of attendance has been about 200 
at each re-union. 



REGIMENTAL KE-UNIONS. 299 

The following letters from Generals Coucli and Davis, 
formerly Colonels, are interesting and explain themselves: 

Hautfoud, Conn., June 12, 1878. 
Capt. Jas. R. Mathewson, 

President 7th Regt. Veterans. 
My Dear Sir : 
I am in receipt of your kind invitation to the 7th Regiment han- 
qiiet on the anniversary of its being mustered into the United 
States service. I have often desired to meet once more my old 
comrades and renew friendships begotten at Camp Old Colony, but 
1 am at a considerable distance from you, and time is not altogether 
my own. Concerning the 7th Regiment, one of the proudest features 
of its history, to my mind, is the fact that for two weeks before 
mustered into service eight or nine hundred men lay in camp obey- 
ing military rules and conforming to its discipline when no one there 
had the faintest shadow of legal military autiiority. With a thousand 
thanks and tender wishes for what is left of the old regiment, I 
subscribe myself, 

D. N. Couch, 

Its first Colonel. 

Hdqrs. Military Division of the Atlantic, v 

Inspector General's Department. ^ 

Governor's Island, New York, i 

May 5, 1881. ^ 

To Wm. H. Wade, Usq., 

President 7th Mass. Veteran Association. 
Plainville, Mass. : 
I acknowledge the honor of an invitation to meet the old 7th 
^Nlass. Vols, at their re-union on the 15th of June next which you 
have kindly sent me. To meet the survivors of that gallant regiment, 
veterans on many battle-fields, and renew associations with thom 
enjoyed in the late war would give me pleasure, but I regret tluit 
consequent upon my cliange of station to the Division of the 
Missouri, I shall be unable to join you on that occasion. Wlnle 
reviewing your reminiscences of the war, of your privations and 



300 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

sufferings in the field, of your marches and battles, of amusing 
scenes in your campaigns and of your anecdotes, jokes and good 
cheer about your camp-fires, you will miss and mourn the loss of 
many a noble fellow and brave comrade who gave his life in defence 
of the "old flag" that proudly waves over a great nation of freemen. 
As one of its commanders, I always felt a deep interest in the wel- 
fare of the old Massachusetts 7th, and a pride in its good name and 
success. Please accept my thanks for your invitation, and convey 
to the members present at your re-union my sincere regards and 
best wishes for a pleasant meeting and for their prosperity and 
happiness. I suggest the following toast: "The old 7th Mass. 
Vols. — At the country's call it promptly marched to the front and 
stayed thei'e till victory crowned its patriotic deeds. Its war record 
adds a bright page to the proud history of the old Bay State." 
Very Respectfully, 

Nelson H. Davis, 

Inspector General U. S. Army. 

July 22, 1884, a brigade re-union was held at Oakland 
Beach, R. I. The members of the regiment, with those of 
the Tenth and Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, 
and Thirty-sixth New York, were the guests of the Second 
Rhode Island regiment, that day being their annual re-union. 
Sept. 19, 1889, a brigade re-union was held at Spring- 
field, Mass. The members of the Seventh Massachusetts, 
Second Rhode Island and Thirty-sixth New York were the 
guests of the Tenth and Thirty-seventh Massachusetts, that 
being the day of the Thirty-seventh's re-union. Generals 
Couch and Devens were present at both of these re-unions. 

At the 17th re-union of the Seventh, June 15, 1886, 
Gen. Couch honored the Association with his presence, and 
was warmly welcomed. At this meeting Comrade Nelson 
V. Hutchinson of Co. K introduced a motion, on which it 
was voted that a committee (of which Comrade Hutchinson 
was made chairman,) be appointed to collect dates and facts 
for a Regimental History, and report the same at the next 



REGIMENTAL RE-UNIONS. 301 

At the next annunl meeting, June 15, 1887, the chairman 
made a report of i)r()rrress, antl it was voted that Comrade 
Hutchinson be appointed a committee to collect further in- 
formation and act as Historian. 

At the next re-union, June 15, 1888, the Historian re- 
ported that he had collected manuscript, and referred the 
same to Messrs. Rand & Avery for printing. 

At the next meeting, June 15, 1889, Comrade Hutchin- 
son reported progress on printing, stating that the manu- 
script was first placed with Rand & Avery, who were short- 
ly after petitioned into insolvency, and they had been paid 
for what they had printed. The contract for printing the 
remaining pages was awarded to Hon. Ezra Davol of Taun- 
ton. At this meeting it was voted that cuts not to exceed 
twenty dollars each of the following comrades, who com- 
manded the regiment at various times in the order named, 
]\Iajor Generals Darius N. Couch, Nelson H. Davis and 
David A. Russell, Col. Thomas D. Johns, Lieut. Col. 
Franklin P. Harlow, and Capt. Zeba F. Bliss, be placed in 
the history, the expense of the same to be taken from the 
Reo-imental Fund. It was also voted that a committee of 
two be appointed from each company to procure good cuts 
of any officer or soldier of the Seventh Massachusetts Regi- 
ment, who received an honorable discharge, to be placed in 
the history, said cuts to be paid for by individual or collect- 
ive subscriptions, and the Secretary was ordered to notify 
each member of the Association of the same, and that cuts 
must be sent to him within thirty days. The Secretary at- 
tended at once to this duty, and at last, after considerable 
time had elapsed, the portraits seen in this book were se- 
cured. It was hoped more would have responded. 

As a part recognition of the many hours so faithfully 
spent by Comrade Hutchinson, the members of the Associa- 
tion learning that modesty would not allow him to place 
his portrait in the history, the boys feeling a desire to see 



302 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER rNFANTRY. 

it there procured his photograph after much persuasiou, 
"chipped in" and had a good cut made, and are proud to 
show the face of their comrade whose persistent efforts 
made it possible for this history to be printed. 

Following will be found a brief sketch of the camp scene 
and the portraits of comrades as they appear : 

GUARD HOUSE AT BRANDY STATION, VA. 

The photograph from which this cut was made was kindly 
loaned by Comrade C. C. Weston, and is a faithful repre- 
sentation of that which it represents. Jerry Sullivan with 
his drum can be seen on the right, and Hobart, the fifer, on 
the left; the other faces are indistinct, but the picture 
serves as an army camp scene. 

DARIUS N. COUCH. 

The first colonel of the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment. 
The historian has well described his patriotic services on 
pages G and 7. 

JAMES BUFFINTON 

was born in Fall River, March 16, 1817. Was the first 
mayor of that city. At the outbreak of the war he was 
ably representing the Second Representative District of 
Massachusetts in Congress, where he served seven terms. 
He enlisted as a private in Co. A, Seventh Massachusetts 
Volunteers, and served with that company until Aug. 24, 
1861, when he was discharged by order of the Secretary of 
War, to fill his seat in Congress, where he was able to do 
much for all the soldiers. His patriotic endeavors during 
the war will always be remembered. Comrade Buffinton died 
at his home in Fall River, March 6, 1874, beloved by all, 
with a record as a brave and honest legislator, entitling him 
to as much praise for his services as a major-general. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 303 

EDWARD T. MARVEL 

was born in Rhode Island ; served with his company nntil 
detailed at Gen. Conch's headquarters as clerk, where he 
faithfully performed his duties until Nov. 21, 1862, Avhen 
he was discharged for disability. He ably represented Fall 
River in the Massachusetts Legislature, was an early com- 
mander of Post 46, G. A. R., and since 1870 has been 
deputy collector of customs at Fall River. He was a gen- 
tleman in any position and a friend to the soldiers. 

NELSON H. DAVIS, 
the regiment's second colonel (see the historian's sketch of 
him on pages following his portrait.) Rising from the rank 
of captain to that of inspector-general of the United States 
army, plainly shows his character and ability. 

CHESTER W. GREENE 

was born at Providence, R. I., Oct. 7, 1811. Went south 
when twenty-one years of age; was there eleven years. 
Married Miss Abby S. Stedman, of Ohio, Feb. 22, 1837, 
at Natchez, Mississippi, where he was engaged in business 
as auctioneer. Moved to Fall River in 1844; first engaged 
in grocery business, afterwards as auctioneer and real estate 
agent; was deputy sheriff, also selectman and assessor un- 
der town government ; was chief engineer of the tire depart, 
ment and city marshal. The latter position he resigned in 
1861 to enter the United States service. Was first captain 
of Co. A, Seventh Mass. Volunteers, and was promoted and 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel of said regiment, June 15, 
1861. After Col. D. N. Couch was promoted brigadier- 
general, Lieut. -Col. Greene had command of the regiment. 
He was a kind officer to his men. Nov. 2'2, 1861, he re- 
signed, and returned to his home in Fall River, where he 
engaged in business as auctioneer and real estate broker, and 
though at home, he has always shown himself a friend to 



304 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

the soldiers by many acts of kindness. He now resides in 
Fall River. 

DAVID A. EUSSELL 
was killed Sept. 19, 1864, at the battle of "Opequan," or 
Winchester, Va. No words can add to his illnstrious ca- 
reer or fame. Enongh is said in the pages of this and other 
histories to prove what he was. Educated at West Point, 
he was a soldier by profession, and the highest tribute that 
can be paid him is, that all soldiers of regiment, brigade or 
division who served under his command will, until their 
memory fades into oblivion, declare he was without a peer 
in the United States army. 

NATHANIEL S. GERRY 
was born in Providence, R. I., Feb. 14, 1835. Was a 
blacksmith before the war. He was wounded at the battle 
of Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862 ; his leg was amputated, 
and brave, genial Nat. died May 17, 1862. He was one of 
three brothers who were in Co. A, and was the first soldier 
from Fall River who gave his life for the defence of his flag 
and country. His widow and married daughter still live 
in Fall River. 

W. H. LINCOLN 

was born in Dorchester, Mass., Aug. 19, 1825. Studied 
medicine with Dr. S. B. Chase of Portland, Me.; graduated 
from medical school of Bowdoin College, Maine, in 1856; 
practiced his profession in Turner, Me., two years; then 
moved to Hubbardston, Mass., where he practiced medicine 
until May, 1862, when he was commissioned assistant sur- 
geon in the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers ; joined the 
regiment before Richmond, Va. ; in September, 1863, was 
promoted to full surgeon, and as such he served with the 
regiment until the expiration of its term of service. In 
1865 he located in Millbury, Mass., where he is now enjoy- 



BIOOIIAI'IIICAL SKETCHES. 305 

iiiii' a large, laI)ori(>ii.s and lucrative practice. He was always 
kind to comrades who needed his advice and medicine, but 
a terror to a shirk or a make-helieve sick man. Comrade 
Lincoln is always welcome at our annual re-unions. 

DAVID H. DYEK 

was born in Lee, Maine, Sept. IG, 1833. Moved to Fall 
River in 1844, at which time he commenced work as an op- 
erative in a cotton mill. At the age of sixteen he joined 
the Fall River Artiller}' Company, Capt. John San ford ; 
was promoted sergeant; served four years in said company. 
At the outbreak of the war Mr. Dyer was l)ook-keeper for 
the American Linen Co., wiiich position he left to enter the 
army. On receipt of the news of the firing on Port Sumter, 
he immediately resorted to the drug store of Wm. H. Nye 
(who subsequently became his second lieutenant), met a 
few young men, who all signed an agreement to ofier their 
services to Gov. Andrew. This squad became the neuclns 
of Co. A, Seventh Regiment, Mass. Volunteers, from which 
the company was gradually recruited to the required num- 
))er, and went into Camp "Old Colony," at Taunton, June 
()tli, under command of Mr, Dyer as captain-elect, vice 
Chester W. Greene, who had been elected captain and pro- 
moted to lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. Co. A was 
instructed in ijifantry tactics by 'Slv. Dyer, who was com- 
missioned captain by Gov. Andrew June 15, 1861. The 
compau}' under his instruction became veiy proticient in 
drill. Captain Dyer went to Washington with his command, 
and resigned in November, 1861, but did not lose his in- 
terest in the country's struggle. He aided in the organiza- 
tion of the Third Regiment, and raised the Fifth and Twen- 
ty-first Unattached Companies for three months and one year 
respectively, the Twenty-first Unattached Coin[)any serving 
until the close of the war. Li 1865 he commenced the 

21 



306 SEVZyXH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUXTEER ESTA>TEY. 

business of civil and mechanical enjsrineer, making the con- 
struction of cotton mills a specialty; has followed that pro- 
fession since. In 1868 he organized and constructed the 
Mechanics' Mills, of which he was treasurer until 1871, 
when he organized the Weetamoe Mills, and was its treas- 
urer: in 1872 he constructed the Sagamore Mills, and was 
its treasurer and business manager: in 1876 constructed 
the Wilmington, N. C, Cotton Mills, and was its business 
manager two years; built the Mobile, Ala., Cotton Mills; 
then spent two years in the south, cotton bujing, after 
which for fire years was treasurer and manager of the Que- 
quechan Mills in Fall River. Since then he has constructed 
new mills in Fall River, Galveston, Texas, and in Mexico, 
and is still engaged in that business, residing in Fall River. 
Most of the time suice the war he has been an active mem- 
ber of the G. A. R., and for the past five jears has been 
quartermaster of Richard H. Borden Post 46. He is a 
moral, efficient gentleman, and a sympathetic comrade, and 
is highly respected in any community. 

AUGUSTUS W. LOTKBOP 

resided in North Easton at the outbreak of the war; was 
then and is now engaged in Ames* shovel manufactory. 
Was mustered fii-st lieutenant of Co. G, June 15, 1861; 
served faithfully with said company, participating in all its 
marches, skirmishes and battles until July 17, 1862, when 
*he resigned. Comrade Lothrop was a quiet, modest officer, 
who always strictly obeyed orders, and was a friend to the 
men under his command. 

JAiLES P. GALL.^GHEE 

was born in Amsterdam, Holland, March 12, 1826; came 
to New York in 1838 ; went to California in 18.54 ; returned 
in 1857. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. G, Seventh Massa- 
chusetts; was, (see page following his portrait,) while 



BIOGRAnilCAL SKETCHES. 307 

assistant to hospital stewai'd, hilton 1)V a ooin)crhoa(l snake, 
and was discharirod for disal)ility, Jan. 16, 1863. Since 
his retnrn from the army, worked at shoemakinp; awhile ; 
now keeps a store in West Bridgewater, Mass. lie has 
attended nearly all of onr re-unions. 

IIENllY B. BENNETT 

was born in Fall River, ATass., Jan. 1, 1837. Was a clerk 
before the war; has been clerk in the Treasury Department, 
Washington, D. C, since 1863. He was always an agree- 
able companion with the boys, and interested in military 
affairs; is a member of the G. A. R. Post in Washington, 
D. C, and always glad to grasp the hand of a comrade. 

EDGAR llOBINSON 
was born Feb. 17, 1836, in the town of Raynham, near the 
Old Colony Iron Co.'s Avorks. Commissioned May 3, 1861, 
by Gov. John A. Andrew, tirst lieutenant of a company of 
infantry raised in Raynham ; mustered as such and assigned 
to said company, which was designated Co. C, Seventh 
Mass. Volunteers. On Aug. 1st, 1861, was commissioned 
captain, and assigned to Co. I, same regiment; resigned 
Feb. 1, 1863. Captain Robinson, as will be seen by his 
picture, was a fine looking officer, and though a strict dis- 
ciplinarian, was very gentlemanly to all with whom he came 
in contact. Since his retnrn from the army he has been the 
proprietor of the \N'areliam Nail Company in South Ware- 
ham, Mass. 

THOMAS I). JOHNS, 
the regiment's fifth colonel. For description of his services 
see page 122 of this book. 

CHARLES B. irATHAWAV 
enlisted in Taunton as sergeant of Co. F, in May, ISi'.l ; 
was mustered as suc-h .June 1"), 1861 ; served everN' daN' of 



308 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

his three years, participating in all of its marches, skirmishes 
and battles. At the attack of May 3, 1863, ou 2tlayre"s 
Heights, Co. F being ou the right of the regiment, march- 
ing by the flank, Capt. Bliss, Lieuts. Bisbee and Seaver 
being wounded, and 1st Sergt. Charles F. Dean killed, he 
took commaud of the company and gallantly led it into the 
enemy's breastworks. He was commissioned second lieu- 
teuant for bravery, and commanded Co. F until Capt. Bliss 
returned. At the battles of Gettysburg, Mine Kun, Wil- 
derness, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor he rendered efficient 
service. Mustered out June 21, 1864, — expiration of term 
of service. Since the war he has worked at his trade as a 
bookbinder. 

PEENTISS M. WHITING 

was a resident of North Attleboro, Mass., and worked in 
that town as a jeweler for a number of years before the 
war. He enlisted in Co. I as private, and was mustered 
into service as first sergeant. He was rapidly promoted, 
being made second lieutenant Sept. 2, 1861, first lieutenant 
July 21, 1862, captain Nov. 22, 1862; which fact is evi- 
dence of the esteem he was held in by such officers as Davis 
aud Russell. The day before Prentiss received his death 
wound, he said, with sudden solemnity, "Comrade, there 
is going to be a fight ou those hills to-morrow." How he 
knew it is a mystery, for history tells us that the order for 
the advauce was not received till several hours later. Was 
it a premonition? "Isn't it," he continued, "better to meet 
death there than to live a longer life only at last to fill a 
shameful grave ?" "Yes," replied his soldier friend, "but 
you will neither be killed to-morrow nor die a disgrace to 
your friends and comrades." Ignoring the answer, he threw 
his arms above his head and exclaimed, "Yes, it is better 
to die now!" That evening, May 2, 1863, the regiment 



BIOGRArmCAL SKETCHES. 309 

crossed the Kappahaniiook ami worked its way into Freder- 
icksburg, Va., with a slight skirmish. The next day, on 
that beautiful Sabbath morning, :May 3, 1803, at 11 a. m., 
began the charge by the Hank which resulted in cairying 
Mayre's Heights. Prentiss — his depression of the night 
before all gone — exclaimed to his friend, "Well, Reuben, 
here I am ; I never expected to get here, but I am all right 
now." Later, when engaged with the enemy at Salem 
Heights, three miles distant, the two friends again met. 
Prentiss was very much excited. He laid his hand on Reu- 
ben's shoulder, and was shouting in his ear, telling him 
how gallantly the boys were fighting, when the bullet came 
which took his life. He fell, turning his startled, anguished 
face toward his friend, with an unspoken but haunting ap- 
peal in his eyes — which, alas ! could not be heeded, only to 
see that he was carried from the field to Banks' Ford hos- 
pital, three miles away. The next day Prentiss sent to his 
fiiend a diary and some private letters to be returned to his 
friends. He lived about 24 hours, and a})out three weeks 
later his remains were brought north for burial. His was a 
free, oi)en, brave and lovable character. His life was an 
example to others in those virtues ; his death was that of a 
brave soldier, going forward as duty called, though he al- 
ready felt, as it were, the touch of the bullet which should 
end his bright career. Post 192, G. A, R., Dept. of Mass., 
of North Attleboro, has most appropriately been named for 
him — Prentiss M. Whiting. 

ZE]?A F. BLISS 

resided at the outbreak of the war, in Taunton, and was a 
machinist. He had seen service in the militia, and recruit- 
ed and raised Co. F, of which he was elected captain, ably 
tilling that position for three years. Every living member of 
his company will testify that they could not have asked tor 



310 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

a more competent, kind or brave commnnder than he, for 
the welfare of his men was his first thought, on the march, 
in camp, skirmish or battle. He was highly esteemed by 
his superior officers, Couch, Davis, Russell and Harlow, 
for his good judgment and many soldierly acts, on numer- 
ous important missions. Comrade Bliss, while leading his 
company by the flank at the head of the regiment in the 
successful but shockingly murderous attack on Mayre's 
Heights, Va., May 3, 1863, was severely wounded in the 
hand. He justly merited promotion to major at the time 
Col. Harlow was "jumped" by Col. Johns. At Cold Har- 
bor he commanded the regiment, and proved his ability, in 
that struggle, to fill the position. On his return home he 
was engaged as machinist at A. Field & Sons' tack works 
for many years. He is now engaged in life and fire insur- 
ance in Taunton, and Captain Bliss, as he is still familiarly 
known, commands the highest respect of his fellow citizens, 
and is always warmly welcomed at the annual re-unions of 
the Seventh Regiment Veteran Association, of which he is 
now president. 

FRANKLIN P. HARLOW 

commanded the obedience and respect of not only the mem- 
bers of his regiment, but of all officers and soldiers of the 
brigade in which the regiment served, and was considered 
by regular army officers to be second to none for any mis- 
sion on which he was detailed. It is said Gov. Andrew 
regretted very much that he did not promote him to the 
colonency of the regiment — which position he so bravely 
earned— instead of Col. Johns. To Comrade Harlow the 
men of the regiment owe more than can be told, especially 
those who returned home, who owe to him their lives for 
his superior and cool judgment and bravery on many hard- 
fought battle-fields. No man is more warmly welcomed 
than he at the regimental re-unions. 



BIOGUAPIIICAL SKETCHES. 311 

HENRY E. KAY 

w:is 1)0111 ill Fiill River, Mass., May 21, 1836. Was a ma- 
chinist before the war. He was wounded in the leg at 
Salem Heights, May 3, 1863, and again in the same leg, a 
year later. May 5, 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness, 
one bullet going through the leg below and another above 
the knee. He is still a machinist, having a manufactoiy of 
his own in Fall River; manufactures thread and roll cover- 
ing machinery', which goes to all parts of the United States 
and Canada, and even to Scotland. He was a splendid sol- 
dier, and is an industrious citizen. 

JAMES HOLEHOUSE 

was born in Stockport, England, Dec. 25, 1839. He came 
to the United States in 1856, and, when the war com- 
menced, was a weaver in No. 1 Union Mill, in Fall River. 
He enlisted — the twelfth man on the roll of Co. B — A[)ril 
12, 1861; was mustered June 15, 1861, and served with 
his regiment faithfully until June 27, 1864 ; received a 
slight scratch near the eye-brow at the battle of the Wilder- 
ness, May 5, 1864, and the next day a bullet went through 
his dress coat, leaving a sore spot on his flesh. Co*nirade 
Holehouse was a loyal soldier to his adopted country. 
Exceedingly good natured and witty, his jovial manners 
and talk kept many of his comrades from an attack of the 
1)1 ues. He was sick in Finley General Hospital awhile, and 
while there Hon. James BufKnton ottered to get him his 
discharge, which he would not take, but, while still sick, 
rejoined his regiment at Fredericksburg, at which place he 
was subsequently taken prisoner; was in Libby prison a 
few weeks, when he was paroled. Since the war, has fol- 
lowed the occupation of looni-lixer, until within the past six 
years he has not been able to do any laborious work on ac- 
count of diseases contracted in the armv. 



312 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

. A. FRANK BARKER 

was born in Mitlclletown, R. I., March 14, 1843. Was a 
carpenter before the war. Has lived in Washington, D.C., 
since his discharge, and, as a contractor, has built and sold 
more than one hundred houses in that city since the surren- 
der of Lee. Has served as assessor in Washington, and is 
now a real estate broker there. Married a Washiugton 
lady, and is now enjoying life from a competency reaped 
by shrewd and economical management, and is another evi- 
dence of a man who made a good soldier and an honored 
citizen. 

CHRISTOPHER C. WESTON, 

or "Tip," as he was more familiarly known, enlisted as a 
sergeant in May, 1861. He was at that time residing in 
East Taunton, Mass. On June 15, 1861, he was mustei-ed 
as sergeant of Co. C. His attention to dut}' quickly gained 
him promotion to first sergeant. He, with others, was de- 
tailed on special and perilous duty, — that of making a cross- 
ing of the Chickahominy, guarded by Stewart's rebel caval- 
ry, and for brave and meritorious services he was commis- 
sioned second lieutenant to date, June 18, 1862. Nov. 22, 
1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and May 5, 1863, 
was promoted to captain. It will be seen his promotion 
was rapid, which was merited by strict attention to duty, 
sound judgment, and a knack to command men, who always 
found him a leader kind and fearless, which commanded the 
respect of those with whom he came in contact, from the 
humblest private in the rear rank to the excellent command- 
ers the Seventh Regiment was blessed with. Comrade 
Weston has been engaged in nail manufacturing in Oxford, 
N. J., since the war, and has, by prudent management, 
gained a reputation and ample capital to support him agree- 
ably in his declining years. He was an excellent soldier, 
and is a highly respected citizen. 



BIOGKAnilCAL SKETCHES. 313 

ALFRED A. SEAVEKNS 

was l)oni at Dorchester, Mass., Oct. 2, 1839. At the age 
of fifteen l)egan to follow the sea, which occupation he con- 
tinued for six years. Enlisted April 19, 1861, and served 
with Co. E, Seventh Regiment, Mass. Volunteers, until 
jNIay 3, 1863, when he was wounded in the right hand at 
Salem Heights. Was in hospital at Fredericksburg, Aqua 
Creek, Va., Mount Pleasant, VVashington, D. C, and Sat- 
tcrlee hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., from which he was dis- 
charged June 14, 1864. Now resides in North Scituate, 
ISIass. ; has been honored by his townsmen as representative 
to Massachusetts Legislature ; has been commander of his 
G. A. R. Post, and president of the Seventh Regiment 
Association. He was a gallant soldier, and is an exemplary 
cilizen. 

PHILANDEK W. FECTO 
was born in Raynham, Mass., Dec. 12, 1829. Enlisted in 
Co. B, Fourth Regiment, Mass. Volunteer Militia, July 5, 
1859, and mustered with them in their encampment in 1859 
and 1860. Oct. 18, 1860, attended, with the company, a 
reception in Boston, given to the Prince of Wales. Enlist- 
ed as a real soldier June 15, 1861, as sergeant of Co. G ; 
promoted to first sergeant of said company in November, 
1862. May 5, 1864, was wounded on the tip end of his 
nose. Sergeant Fecto was a brave, moral soldier, and was 
engaged in every battle Uie Seventh was engaged in. Since 
the war he has been in the livery business in North Easton, 
Mass., where he now resides. For fifteen years he run a 
coach line from there to Brockton, Mass. He was in the 
town's service for eleven years. The only time during the 
war Comrade Fecto disobeyed orders was at Mayro's 
Heigkts, May 3, 1863. Orders were issued by Col. Johns, 
when about to charge up the heights, not to discharge their 
muskets, let the position be ever so aargravating. On near- 

2-2 



314 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

ing the rifle-pits, the rebels were shooting out of a window, 
and one of them shot and wounded Norman Dunbar of his 
company, when Fecto returned the fire and shot the rebel 
dead. 

MUNKOE F. WILLIAMS 

was born in Easton, Mass., Sept. 12, 1829. In March, 
1856, he joined Co. B, Fourth Regiment, Mass. State Mili- 
tia ; served there till 1861, when he joined Co. G, Seventh 
Mass. Volunteers; was commissioned second lieutenant of 
said company June 15, 1861; promoted to first lieutenant 
of Co. E, same regiment, Nov. 1, 1862. He was severely 
wounded at the storming of Mayre's Heights, May 3, 1863, 
and was discharged on account of wounds Aug. 14, 1863. 
Lieut. Williams was a good oflScer, and a friend to all sol- 
diers under his command. Since his return from the army 
he has resided in North Easton, and is a photographer. 

JOHN nOWARTH 

was working for the Taunton Locomotive Co. at the out- 
break of the war. Enlisted as private in Co. F, Seventh 
Massachusetts; was promoted to corporal, then to sergeant. 
He was in every battle and skirmish with his company until 
May 6, 1864, when, at the battle of the Wilderness, a com- 
rade having said to him, "Jack, Jim McCormick is shot," 
he remarked, "I'll go to him as soon as I give the johnnies 
one more round." As he raised his musket to do so, he 
was shot in the leg. He went to the hospital, and was mus- 
tered out with his company June 27, 1864. Since his re- 
turn from the army he has worked at his trade, as master 
machinist in New Bedford, Mass. ; Central Pacific Railroad, 
California; was master mechanic New York Locomotive 
Works, Rome, N. Y., and at Rhode Island Locomotive 
Works, Providence, where he now occupies the position of 
assistant superintendent. The portly form and good na- 



BIOGRAnilCAL SKETCHES. 315 

turecl face of Coniratle Howarth best represents his charac- 
ter, — moderate to wrath, amiable to all, he is hard to mas- 
ter when anyone wrongfully misuses him. By his brain 
and muscle he has acquired considerable property, which is 
pleasing to all, for he was a courageous soldier, and has 
proved a good citizen. He is quite regular in his attend- 
ance at our annual re-unions, than whom none receive a 
warmer comrade's welcome. 

B. FRANK GERRY 

was born in Central Falls, R. I., April 24, 1840. Was a 
machinist previous to the war, and is now residing in Fall 
River. Was promoted to color-corporal May 6, 1864, for 
brave conduct at battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 18G4; 
was in all the battles with the regiment ; was always there, 
and always did his duty faithfully ; was never disabled, and 
is a good sample of the soldiers who deserve a service pen- 
sion for actual and prolonged service in the field. 

ALBERT S. PALMER 

was born in Fall River, Mass., March 20, 1839. Was a 
blacksnjith before the war. Was promoted to corporal and 
sergeant for brave and meritorious service ; was wounded 
in the nose and ear in the gallant charge of the regiment up 
Mayre's Heights, May 3, 1863, and in the battle of the 
Wilderness, May 5, 1864, was wounded throuirh the left 
leg. On his return from the war in 1864 he resumed black- 
smithing till 1870; then kept a grocery store for seventeen 
years ; for the past two years has been truant oflScer of Fall 
River; was commander of Post 46, G. A. R., in 1876, and 
has served as })rcsident of the Seventh Regiment Associa- 
tion. Comrade Palmer is a faithful representative ot a good 
soldier and citizen, and through his eflbrts the portraits of 
the members of Co. A in this book were secured. 



316 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

CHARLES T. ROBINSON 
was boru in Raynham, Mass. At the firing on Fort Sumter 
he was connected with the Old Colony Iron Co., in East 
Taunton, Mass. He recruited and organized Co. C, com- 
posed mostly of men who were employed hy the company. 
Comrade Robinson was commissioned and mustered as cap- 
tain of his company, June 15, 1861. He was a fine com- 
manding officer, both in appearance and manner, and for 
business reasons resigned Oct. 11, 1861, to assist in the Old 
Colony Iron Co.'s management, which position he held until 
the company was dissolved. Was always and is now a 
sympathetic friend to all soldiers ; has been president of the 
Seventh Regiment Association, and is always welcomed 
heartily at its annual re-unions. 

GEORGE W. ANDREWS 
was born in Easton, Mass., April 26, 1834. At time of 
enlistment he was a cutter in the shoe business. Was mus- 
tered into the service June 15, 1861, as first sergeant of Co. 
G; Aug. 11, 1862, was made second lieutenant of Co. A, at 
which time the members of Co. G, in token of the impartial 
manner in which he treated them and the high esteem which 
they had for him as a soldier and man, presented him with 
a sword and belt. April 28, 1863, he was promoted to 
first lieutenant of Co. I ; participated in all the marches, 
skirmishes and battles with the regiment until June 17, 
1863, when he was discharged on account of sickness, from 
the effects of which he has never fully recovered. He now 
resides in Easton, and when able to work follows his occu- 
pation as previous to the war. He was a l)rave, conscien- 
tious soldier, and is an exemplary citizen. 

ISAAC W. GILES 

was born May 13, 1837, at Attleboro, Mass., where he was 
previous to the war employed as a jeweler. Enlisted in 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. -HI 7 

Co. I, which was from Atlh'horo, and was niustorcd into 
service as a ser<^eant of said company, June 15, 18(51 ; ap- 
pointed lirst sergeant of his company, Nov., 18G2; May 3, 
1863, was commissioned second lieutenant of Co. K; served 
with honor all through his three years' service; was mus- 
tered out with the regiment at Taunton, June 27, 1864. 
He has been located in Whitman, Mass., since 1866, and is 
superintendent of an eyelet manufactory in that place ; has 
been president of the Regimental Association ; is a member 
of David A. Russell Post 78, G. A. R., and enjoys the full 
contidence of his emplo3'ers and the citizens where he now 
resides. He was a line type of a volunteer soldier, and will 
ever be remembered by his comrades as a pleasant, jovial 
friend. 

CHARLES T. WILLIAMS 

was born in Easton, Mass., April 4, 1844. He was a de- 
scendent of Richard Williams, the emigrant, who settled in 
Taunton in 1637. His great-grandtather, Captain Macy 
Williams, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his 
grandfather in the war of 1812. At the outbreak of the 
civil war, Comrade Williams was employed as a clerk. He 
enlisted, after receiving the reluctant consent of his parents, 
in Co. II, Seventh Regiment, and participated in the snfl'er- 
ings of army life, doing his duty faithfully up to the regi- 
ment's brave charge at Mayre's Heights, May 3, 1863, when 
he was stunned by the concussion of a cannon ball, wliich 
rendered him unconscious for 24 hours. Recovering, he 
still bore his part manfully until May 5, 1864, at the Wil- 
derness battle, where the regiment was engaged for two 
hours, at which time a bullet tore the crown of his cap, 
another passed through his blouse, and another hit his shoe. 
The next day he received a gunshot wound below the knee 
of the left leg, which caused a longitudinal fracture of the 
tibia; was carried to the field hospital, then to Fredericks- 



318 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

burg, Ya., then to Armory Square hospital at Washington, 
D. C, and from there to Portsmouth Grove hospital, R. I., 
where he remained until his term of enlistment expired. 
Remaining at home for several months, he was prostrated 
by typhoid fever, having three successive attacks, but sur- 
vived. In Ma}*, 18t:)5, he was conveyed to the Massachu- 
setts General Hospital, where he underwent an operation 
by having the entire tibia removed, which proved success- 
ful. He was afterwards an assistant at the Soldiers' Home, 
Springfield street, Boston, as book-keeper and librarian; in 
1866 was appointed messenger in the Massachusetts State 
Senate; joined Gen. Stevenson Post 26, G. A. R., Rox- 
bury, in 1867. On recovering health, he opened a store 
on Washington street, Boston, and continued in the dry 
goods trade until 1875 ; since then has been engaged in 
large labor contracts in the city of Boston, under the firm 
name of A. J. Tuttle & Co. In 1883 he moved from Cam- 
bridge to West Bridgewater, Mass., having purchased what 
was the "Jim Ames place,*' now known as Rocklawn Farm, 
where he makes market gardening a special feature of his 
farming, under the management of a foreman, which is very 
profitable. Comrade Williams is a man whom it is a pleas- 
ure to meet. He manifests a lively interest in everything 
pertaining to the welfare and good of the community in 
which he lives, is chairman of the Republican town commit- 
tee, a member of the board of selectmen, one of the assess- 
ors, chairman of the Baptist church officers, and a promi- 
nent member of the Plymouth County Agricultural Society 
and West Bridgewater Grange, No. 156. All will ever find 
him a warm hearted and genial friend and comrade. 

NELSON V. HUTCHINSON 

was born in Scituate, Mass., April 24, 1845. Attended the 
primary and grammar schools there until 12 years of age, 
when he entered high school. At the age of 16 he enlisted 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 319 

in the North River Guards, a militia c()tni)aiiy comniaiidcd 
by Capt. Seth Webb, who diet! as U. S. consul at Hayti, 
West Indies. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, 1st Lieut. 
Hiram Oakman and his company were ordered to Taunton 
by Adj. -Gen. Schouler, to be merged into the Seventh 
Massachusetts Volunteers. That portion of the company 
from Scituate was assigned to Co, K, then commanded by 
Capt. F. P. Harlow, while the Marshtield men were attached 
to Co. E. Hutchinson proved an apt scholar in drill, and 
was promoted to corporal. He was sick with typhoid fever 
at Washington, rejoined his regiment at Harrison's Land- 
ing, and May 3, 18G3, in the sharp engagement at Salem 
Heights, Va., was severely wounded. He returned to his 
regiment in November, 1863, and remained in the service, 
engaging in the battles of Mine Run and from Wilderness 
to Cold Harbor. Was mustered out of service, — expiration 
of term, — before he was 19 years of age, June 27, 1864. 
Subsequently he served in the quartermaster's department, 
Army of the C'umberland, in December, 1864, and January, 
1865, joined Hardee's scouts as a volunteer, engaged 
with Hood's cavalry at Gallitin Turnpike, Tenn., and was 
discharged as acting second lieutenant, quartermaster's de- 
partment, in 1865. Engaged subsequently in Lynnfield, 
Duxbury and Cambridge, Mass., as a carriage builder; is 
now a practicing homeopathic physician in North Abington, 
Mass. To Comrade Hutchinson are due the thanks of all 
interested in the Seventh Massachusetts History, as through 
his efforts it was mainly written and compiled, which in- 
volved many hours of labor at considerable expense. May 
he live long and prosper, is the wish of his comrades. 

HARRIE A. CUSHMAN 
was born in New Bedford, Mass., Oct. 11, 1845. Educat- 
ed in the public schools there until 12 years of age; then 
in Taunton a year; then in Northtield, Vt., a year, when 



320 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

he commenced life as a train-boy on the Central Vermont 
railroad, serving one year; then clerked in the stores of 
Jabez Rounds & Co. and Harris & Brownell ; was in the 
last named store when war was declared. Enlisted in Co. 
F at the age of 15, June 1.5, 1861 ; was company clerk from 
November, 1862, until May, 1863; was clerk at Gen. Rus- 
sell's brigade headquarters ; was promoted sergeant of his 
company ; and Dec. 26, 1863, re-enlisted for another three 
years; participated in the Wilderness and Spottsylvania 
battles, as sergeant of his company, until May 18, 1864, 
when he was appointed acting sergeant major, which posi- 
tion he held until the Seventh Regiment left for home, June 
14, 1864. At that time he was detailed as confidential 
clerk to Major-Gen. Wright, commanding the Sixth Corps, 
which position he held until January, 1865, when he was 
made first sergeant of Co. E, Thirty-seventh Massachusetts 
Volunteers. In March, 1865, he was promoted to second 
lieutenant of said company, to date Oct. 13, 1864. Partic- 
ipated in battles of Hatcher's Run, Petersburg, and at Sail- 
or's Creek, Va., where he was severely wounded, and was 
discharged May 15, 1865, on account of said wounds; thus 
having completed nearly four years of honorable service be- 
fore he was 20 years of age. After recovering from his 
wound, he was clerk in the Adjutant General's office, State 
of Massachusetts, five years ; then accepted the position of 
agent of the Old Colony Railroad Co., at Taunton, which 
he held for two years, resigning to enter into the clothing 
business at Taunton in the firm of McElro}' & Cushmau, 
where he now is. Has been commander of Post 3, G. A. 
R., and secretary of King David Lodge of Masons; was the 
first president of the Seventh Regiment Veteran Associa- 
tion, and for the past eighteen years has been its secretary. 



3i;77-2 



